2015 Fall Home Improvement and Garden LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.COM SEPT. 29, 2015 Page 21
F
irst off, if you haven’t brought your plants
in yet, it is time. Most people are ready to
take action when frost enters the forecast,
which won’t be long from now. But consider
that another word for most house plants is
“Tropical’s.” While some tropical’s are native
to cool mountainous regions, others like Chinese
Evergreen, Dieffenbachia, some Schefflera,
seem to faint at the mention of a cold draft.
Conversely, it might surprise you to know that
there are a number of plants used for interior
decorating that do tolerate colder temperatures
well, a few can even survive a little frost or
snow. Typically those plants are native to cool
mountainous regions, even some desert type
plants such Prickly Pear Cactus, succulents and
sedums such as Jade, Hens and chicks can put
up with a little cold.
Just the same, it is a good time to get all your
plants in and find suitable locations where they
can serve a little reminder of the great outdoors
and be part of your decor until the next outdoor
season.
What makes a good choice to bring in
Its hard to say goodbye to those beautiful
blooming plants that served you so well for the
season. However, the annuals that bring us so
much pleasure in season such as impatients,
petunias, fuchsias, commonly will not flourish
indoors and may create more angst and extra
costs than if you face up to it and just replace
them next season.
Today’s market offers a number of hybrids that
are more tolerant of indoor conditions and may
be worth bringing in if you have the right space
blooming plants such as hibiscus, geraniums;
some begonias, particularly the tuberous type,
may do well and even bloom for you during the
winter. Besides having a little greenery over the
winter, another great thing is if they go back out
healthy you get a jump on next season and with
TIPS
for bringing
your plants
in for the
winter
CONTINUED