We had a lot of fun when Santa stopped by this past weekend to pose for photos and gather his Christmas "intel" from the kids! We were not able to get photos of all of the many, many who stopped by for their chat with the great man himself, but click here to see a few!

Poinsettias are a classic symbol of the Christmas holidays, and there are many stories about how they came to be associated with the holiday. This is one of our favorites, adapted from the Ecke Ranch (one of the largest growers of poinsettias) version:

A charming story is told of Pepita, a poor Mexican girl who had no gift to present the Christ Child at Christmas Eve Services. As Pepita walked slowly to the chapel with her cousin Pedro, her heart was filled with sadness rather than joy.
"I am sure, Pepita, that even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes," said Pedro consolingly.
Not knowing what else to do, Pepita knelt by the roadside and gathered a handful of common weeds,...

The perfect gift answer: Knollwood Garden Center Gift Cards!
It's like giving a promise of spring:
whether someone has never gardened before, has just purchased a new home, or is an avid gardener year-after-year, a gift card for Knollwood can help them reach their goals.

Available in any amount, and they never expire. Just stop in, or give us a call: we can take your order over the phone and mail it to you OR the lucky recipient.

A big, fluffy, extravagent bow is the perfect topper to your Christmas tree or a beautiful package. A well-placed bow can be all you need to transform your front-door wreath from season to season. And, with just a little practice, you can tie bows like these for all your decorating needs. On our Resources page you will find a link to this pictorial handout with step-by-step instructions that you can print; or, stop by for a demo by one of our designers.
Some tips:...

Take a special family photo at Knollwood this year...many families have made it a tradition to take a picture in front of our thousands of poinsettias, and this year we have again created beautiful settings for your Christmas shots. Stop in any time with your camera or video recorder and take as many pictures as you'd like!
And, Santa will be stopping by to get in on the act, too, so don't forget your camera on Sunday, Nov. 29, and Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12-13, 2009 from 12-3 each day.

Join in an ancient tradition to bring good luck to your home for the coming year:
On or about Christmas eve, a big log is brought into your home. It is a great occasion for a party or family gathering as songs can be sung, and and decorations placed upon it. Personal faults, mistakes and bad choices are "burned" in the flame so everyone can start the new year with a clean slate.
The log is never allowed to burn completely, a bit is kept in the house to start next years log; pieces that are kept protect a house from fire, lightning, or hail. Ashes can also be placed in the garden to help it bear a good harvest.
We have decorated Yule logs for you to start this tradition in your own family: use it to decorate your hearth, porch, or table and then share the luck with friends and family as you light it.*

*In the fireplace and undecorated, please!

Looking for a way to bring instant holiday spirit to your home or office? Need a quick hostess or teacher gift? Everyone loves a colorful, fresh poinsettia!
The traditional flower of the Christmas Season, Knollwood-grown poinsettias come in many traditional and non-traditional colors. Hanging Baskets, tiny charmers, giant specimens, and unique mixed-plant baskets will have you in the spirit of Christmas in no time!

(We can deliver locally, too! Send your best wishes to friends and business associates with just a call or quick stop at Knollwood.)

Amaryllis are an elegant and popular alternative to poinsettias for the upcoming holidays. They are easy to grow with a few simple steps. We offer many varieties of classic and exotic bulbs and plants. This guide to Amaryllis planting for the holidays should get you started, and stop by with any other questions.
Have you grown amaryllis? What has been most successful for you...tell us in the comments here!

Take a special family photo at Knollwood this year...many families have made it a tradition to take a picture in front of our thousands of poinsettias, and this year we have again created beautiful settings for your Christmas shots. Stop in any time with your camera or video recorder and take as many pictures as you'd like!
And Santa will be stopping by to get in on the act, too, so don't forget your camera on Sunday, Nov. 30 from 1:00 to 4:00, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2009 from 5:00-8:00, and Saturday, Dec. 13, 2009 from 12-4. Tuesday evening Dec. 9, 2009 will be especially fun with crafts for kids, demonstrations, marshmallow toasting by the campfire outside with the fresh cut Christmas trees, and refreshments.

Sometimes a plant is more than a plant, and Christmas Cactus seem to be one of those. Often living for many, many years, and being easily propagated, these seasonally-flowering beauties often become heirlooms passed down from family member to family member.
Not truly a cactus, they are closer to the orchid family, coming from tropical locations and often living on a "host" plant. We found some great information and growing tips here that you might enjoy.
Do you have any plants that have been passed down? Leave a comment about your special plant, or any questions you may have about this holiday favorite.

Every year, Knollwood grows most of the annuals, unique hanging baskets, and mixed planters that you buy. We also grow our own poinsettias: over 8000 of them, as a matter of fact! We thought it would be fun to share occasional peeks at our growing facility in Beavercreek so you can see the progress of your future plants. The poinsettias are just beginning to fill out now, and won't be showing any color until Mid-November. For more poinsettia information, Ecke Ranch is the source of most poinsettia cuttings to growers. Our growing facility is not open to the public, but we welcome your questions about what happens out there throughout the year.