Resources
February 6, 2003
New England
By
Suzanne DeJohn,
Candler, NC
Shows & Events
Spring Flower Shows
Spring is around the corner, and that means the flower shows are too! Plan to attend at least one show, for new ideas and information and to get a needed dose of warmth and color. Consider the New England Spring Flower Show, which runs from March 15 to March 23. Weekends at this show can be a zoo, so if possible visit during the week, preferably in the morning. For more information, visit their Web Site at http://www.masshort.org.
Favorite or New Plant
Easy Care Dracaenas
For dramatic houseplants that require minimal care, you can't beat the dracaenas. I've had a Dracaena marginata, or dragon plant, since I lived in Boston and worked as an interior landscaper 15 years ago. (We got to keep the cast-off plants.) It has lived in at least a dozen different apartments/houses and endured being lugged around, squashed in the back seat of a car, and, frankly, neglected. In fact, I'm convinced that dracaenas thrive on neglect and suffer most when they're overly pampered.
Dracaenas are used regularly in interior landscaping in offices, hotels, and malls, and for good reason. They readily adapt to indoor light levels, require little maintenance, and are relatively pest-free.
Most dracaenas grow to be relatively large, but they are slow growers so it will take a while for them to outgrow their space. And once they do, you can often prune a stem and root the cutting.
There are numerous species of these tropical plants, including the shrubby 'Janet Craig', with dark green, glossy leaves, and striped dracaena (D. deremensis 'Warneckii') with lime green striped leaves, and the tall corn plant (D. fragrans 'Massangeana'), with sturdy canes topped with crowns of foliage.
The key to caring for these plants is to water the soil thoroughly, allowing excess water to drain away, then let the top inch or two of soil dry out. Large plants in cool, dark locations may need watering only once a month, if that. Once you get to know your plants, you'll recognize that when the leaves start to lose their sheen, it's time to water.
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