SPRUCE UP THE ENTRY GATE
Plans for entertaining with family and friends are well under way. Give your home a North Florida twist for the holidays with tropical holiday plants. Traditionally, poinsettias have held a cherished place for Christmas décor with their bright red foliage bracts, but why not try something different this year? This entry gate in Haile Plantation (below) invites guests with urns filled with Neoregelia bromeliads, which are distantly related to pineapples. These tropical perennials work well on frost-free porches and bright interior spaces. Just fill the red center leaves with water and enjoy.
BRING A LIVE GIFT TO YOUR NEXT DINNER PARTY
Whether a housewarming or a dinner party, consider giving a gift that will keep giving for many years to come. An easy solution is to bring a pre-potted gift plant like this amaryllis (left), which starts out as a baseball-sized bulb and quickly sprouts over a short period on the windowsill. Amaryllis will live for decades if planted outdoors in a sunny spot. Small citrus trees also make a nice gift plant. Often, kumquats or lemon trees can be purchased with fruit already ripening.
USE FOLIAGE FROM THE GARDEN FOR ENTERTAINING
The Pleasures of a Garden
Longtime Gainesville resident Barbara Hall recently met me in her garden to talk about how she uses elements from her own backyard to prepare for company. A raised planter for herbs and flowers provides plenty of cut flowers for the table. Since French cooking is her specialty, she will cut sprigs of thyme, basil and rosemary for recipes in need of fresh herbs.
A Feast for the Eyes
Gerber daisies and Tulip Gingers graced a long dining table she had set for an upcoming event, but her real favorites are foliage plants with interesting texture. Barbara showed me how a few hosta leaves or a leather leaf fern frond arranged in small vases can make a low centerpiece for the center of the table.
Festive Cheese Tray
First, Barbara selects a structural leaf from the garden like this aspidistra leaf (above) and carefully washes it to remove any residual dust. Then, the leaves are trimmed to fit the serving tray and placed like spokes on a wheel. Serving dishes anchor the leaves down and hold other condiments. Finally, assorted cheeses are arranged right before the party.