Amaryllis & Christmas cheer
Christmas is a-coming, and we’re decked out at home. I’m not a big seasonal decorator, but I always like to have a pot or two of amaryllis in addition to wreaths and a Christmas tree. Browsing in Target a few days ago, I found two silver tins (mini stock tanks!) for a few dollars each, with potting medium included and sprouting bud stalks trying to wriggle their way out of the cardboard covering. I took pity on them and brought them home with me, dressing up the potted tins with small silver and white Christmas balls. Oops, I forgot to take off the Made in China sticker—how classy.
The taller one has already straightened up and begun showing a hint of color at the tip. The shorter one, pictured here and above, has responded with new growth too. Amaryllis are such easy and rewarding bulbs.
I hope you’re getting into the spirit of the season too, if it’s part of your family traditions. Austin’s recent cold weather has certainly made it feel Christmasy for a change. When we cut down our tree at the tree farm, we weren’t even sweating this year.
Two years ago, long-time readers may remember that I wrote a post called “What my Christmas tree says about me.” I had fun rereading it just now; perhaps you’ll be interested too.
All material © 2006-2009 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Those pots look beautiful with the silver balls as mulch. What a great idea. Pretty tree too. Our’s will go up this weekend.
Your bulbs look great with chrismas balls around them. I will have to do this too. Your tree is beautiful. The sentimental trees are the best. Our tree is very sentimental.
Beautifully decorated tree Pam and love the idea of mulching our holiday bulb pots with glass orb ornaments. Will have to steal that idea !
This is a ‘green year’ christmas. Our tree is almost 50 years old, so you could call it recycled. It’s one of those cool artificial silver metal foil trees from the 60′. It’s still gets repackaged each year in its original box and the rotating base still works as does the rotating color wheel.
It is hilarious to watch it slowly rotate with the ornaments slightly jiggling. As one point in it’s revolution it kind of wobbles and the nutcracker ornaments seem to come to life .
Your tree is retro cool, Michelle, with a family history that also makes it traditional. The best of both worlds. —Pam
LOVE the amaryllis in the mini stock tanks, it’s sooo Pam! I’ve got to go read your article now… (p.s. I posted about my Christmas scheme today too! Great minds…)
I like your mini stock tanks! They are very pretty with the silver and white Christmas balls…good idea.
I like the ornaments in the little stock tanks. I’ll have to go snag back a little Christmas bucket that I saw the girl taking to her room. I won’t be putting an Amaryllis in one, as I’ve just managed to get mine back into a pot after the burning potting soil fiasco.
Hello, it’s me again. FYI: Knowing that you like succulents…I thought of you when I came across this blog from Australia called Sensational Succulents: http://sensationalsucculents.blogspot.com. You might have already seen her blog. I found it interesting.
I haven’t seen her blog before, but thanks for letting me know about it, Amy. A kindred spirit! Unfortunately, she doesn’t allow comments with the Name/URL option (you have to use an account of one kind or another), so I couldn’t tell her how much I liked her site. Bummer. —Pam
What a wonderful idea to use baubles as mulch and what a lovely tree. I shall enjoy your decorations this year as we leave again in a weeks time. I have a similar collection of ornaments for the tree which we have gathered over the years. Anything small makes a good tree decoration in my opinion. It is feeling rather wintry isn’t it. Tonight we have a fire.
Hello Pam,
I love your idea about the tins and ornaments. I have to try that out next year. Your tree is beautiful. We have unseasonably cold too. I am wishing for some warm weather for Christmas ;0)
Just when I thought there wasn’t anything new to do with amaryllis! This is delightful. Can I come sit under your tree?
Clever idea to dress the amaryllis up with ornaments. We put up our palm tree and the douglas fir will go up closer to the time when our son will arrive. Indoor heat is hard on real trees. Finally I feel a little Christmasy. gail
What a beautiful way to Christmas-up the amaryllis bulbs Pam. I might have to try this at my house. I usually ignore the pot and concentrate on the blooms but you’ve shown they can both be very attractive. I’m glad you took pity on the bulbs and gave them a good home. Mine would be jealous because I didn’t jazz them up! Your tree looks good too.
Beautiful tree, and so clever with the silver tins and silver/white baubles as mulch! Very pretty.
Thanks for saving those poor amaryllis. When I read about the tin containers, I thought stock tanks too. The silver balls will make a snowy ground covering for your beautiful bulbs. I have some amaryllis growing too, but mine aren’t very far along yet. Merry almost Christmas.~~Dee