Plants in Flower:

Sasanqua Camellia and Japonica Camellia.

Plants with Colorful Berries:

American Beautyberry, Burford Holly, Chinese Holly, Foster Holly, Nellie Stevens Holly, Nandina, Pyracantha.

What to Fertilize:

--None needed on plants outside.
--Use wood ashes from your fireplace or wood burning stove on your vegetable garden, bulb beds and lightly on your lawns.
--Fertilize houseplants as needed.

What to Plant:

--Plant one year old asparagus crowns in the vegetable garden this month.

What to Prune:

--Prune berry producing plants if berries are desired in table arrangements over the holidays.
--Remove "weed" or undesirable trees from your landscape.
--Cut camellia flowers to be enjoyed inside your home.

Pest Outlook:

--None.

Lawn Care:

--Keep tree leaves from collecting on your lawn.

Propagation:

--Take leaf cuttings of your favorite houseplants like African violets and begonia. Keep cuttings in a heated area.
-- Hardwood cuttings of your landscape plants like forsythia (yellow bells), flowering quince, weigela, crapemyrtle and hydrangea can be taken this month. Place these cuttings in a coldframe outside.

Specific Chores:

--Put pine needles or wheat straw over your strawberry plants in late December.
--Keep your living Christmas tree outside until you are ready to decorate. Norway spruce or white pine are the recommended living trees for piedmont North Carolina.
--Order your seed catalogs.
--Make a list of needed repairs on garden tools and equipment. Repair or have them repaired after the holidays.
--Shop around for garden products for your favorite gardener's holiday gift.
--If frigid weather occurs, be cautious when covering shrubs. Cover only with burlap or white plastic.
--Keep your CUT Christmas tree in water throughout the holiday season. Christmas trees inside your home can drink up to one gallon of water each day.
--Care should be taken not to overwater the ball & burlap living Christmas trees.
--Order fruit trees and grape vines for February and March planting.
--Visit your local county Extension center for information on the holiday houseplants like poinsettia and amaryllis.