It’s not too early to begin to think about what to get that special someone! This year stop by Wegman’s for that special someone and choose the right little something that is the perfect way to say "I love you." Wegman's has basketfuls of ideas that will keep on blooming. Come in and choose from a wide variety of beautiful orchids, azaleas, European baskets, bromeliads, ferns and other interesting plants for your home.

Looking for something other than a plant? Just drop by and we will be happy to suggest some other unique gift ideas. We also have Gift Cards available for your Valentine.

Chinese New Year, known in Chinese as the Spring Festival (or the Lunar New Year) is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. The festival proper, beginning on the first day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar and ending on the 15th, is called Lantern Festival or Shi Wu Wan. Chinese New Year's Eve, known as Chúx, is January 26th this year. Chu literally means "change" and xi means "eve."

Some fun facts about Chinese New Year:

Chinese refer to years by the name of an animal (like a mascot). There are 12 animal names, so by this system year names are recycled every 12 years. 2009 is known as the Year of the Ox.

Known for centuries as Lucky Bamboo, the plants is not a bamboo at all, but a resilient member of the lily family that grows in the dark, tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia and Africa.

Keep the water fresh by changing it every week, and always keep water approximately an inch from the base of the canes. Lucky Bamboo prefers plenty of direct sunlight and room temperatures at 65 to 70 degrees.

Roses are a perfect Valentine’s gift and Wegman’s has a huge selection! Here are some tips for choosing the perfect rose for your perfect gardener. To view the many varieties and colors available look through our Rose Gallery that is entered by clicking on Rose Gallery on the side bar.

Roses are a worthwhile addition to almost any garden. We say almost always, because if there is not six or more hours of full sunlight over the rose bed, you cannot expect total success. All of the other factors needed for growing good roses (soil, water, nutrients, and pest control) can be adjusted by the gardener. (Please see our Care Guide on the Wegman’s website for additional information.)

Decide what you want your roses to do. If you want a mass of color and don’t need long stemmed roses, Floribunda roses will be your choice. If you want long stemmed roses suitable for bouquets, then Hybrid Tea roses should be your choice. There are many other types of roses besides the Floribundas and Hybrid Teas such as Climbers (which can be Climbing Hybrid Teas, such as Climbing Floribundas), Shrub Roses, Grandifloras, Miniatures, Carpet Roses and so on. Ninety percent of the roses used by gardeners on the Peninsula are Hybrid Teas or Floribundas. Among these two groups are many colors, fragrances and disease susceptibilities to consider.

Here are some recommendations of Mr. Ed’s favorites to get you started or to enhance your existing rose garden. These roses will all grow well in a Peninsula rose garden if the factors listed above are properly applied.

RED
Mister Lincoln, HT*
Olympiad, HT
Showbiz, F

PINK
Bewitched, HT*
New Zealand, HT
Bonica, F

WHITE
Honor, HT
John F. Kennedy, HT*
Moondance, F

ORANGE(ISH)
Fragrant Cloud, HT*
Tropicana, HT*
Gingersnap, F
Vavoom, F

HT--Hybrid Tea

YELLOW
Henry Fonda, HT
Midas Touch, HT*
Julia Child, F*

MAUVE
Stainless Steel, HT*
Intrigue, F*

BLENDS
Touch of Class, HT
Peace, HT*
Just Joey, HT*
Double Delight, HT*
Cinco de Mayo, F
Livin’ Easy, F*
Tuscan Sun, F

F--Floribunda

All of these roses are available at Wegman’s Nursery plus 86 other varieties! Those varieties above marked with an asterisk (*) are especially fragrant and will produce wonderful bouquets or act alone in a small vase to refresh an entire room.

There are no specific rules about using roses in the landscape. You may choose to have some hybrid teas and some floribundas in the same bed. Just remember to put the taller hybrid teas in the back and the shorter floribundas in front.

If you are just starting your first rose bed, it is important to prepare the soil properly. You will need a bag of Nurseryman’s Rose Planting Mix for every two roses plus a handful of Master Nursery Master Start Fertilizer for each bush.

Here is a link to our Care Guide on Roses for further information: http://wegmansnursery.com/services.asp?page_id=84

We will be happy to dress up a container with foil wrap and a bow as a Valentine’s gift; just let us know!

Citrus plants (oranges, lemons, limes, etc.) are a part of almost everyone's California garden except for those who live in areas where winter temperatures drop below 28°F. Even then, dwarf citrus grown in movable containers can be made to survive and bear fruit in these cold areas.

At this time of year, however, three of the citrus varieties (citron, kumquat and pummelos) have special significance.

In China and Japan, kumquat or Chinan translates as golden bean. It is frequently the custom in China and Japan to place fruit-bearing bonsai plants on the table at dinner so during holidays guests can pick and eat the fruit between courses. In California, dwarf kumquats adapt beautifully to containers and guests can pick and eat the fruit while sitting on the patio enjoying the BBQ, etc. Kumquats are unusual because the fruit can be eaten in two bites, skin and all. The most common variety is 'Nagami' but' Meiwa' is sweeter and has a more tender rind.

Kumquats grow best when temperatures are relatively high so best fruiting occurs in the warmest parts of the Bay Area. The fruit matures in mid to late winter and will survive temperatures down to 15°F, much lower than any other citrus.

Citrons originated in the Himalayas about 700 BC and were brought to the Middle East, where they were the only citrus known in ancient Greece and Rome. The fruit was inedible but because of its fragrance was used as a room perfumant and moth repellent. 'Etrog', one variety of citron, is the "Hadar" of the Old Testament and is used in the Jewish Feast of the Tabernacles.

Another variety of Citron is 'Buddha’s Hand,' so called because the end opposite the stem is divided into finger-like sections. This fruit contains no pulp, just rind. It is a symbol of supreme happiness in Buddhism and other Asian religions. At this time of year, 'Buddha’s Hand' becomes a part of the Chinese New Year’s festivities.

Otherwise, the rind is candied and made into marmalade for tea or used as a dressing on cakes and pastries.

Citron plants are rather straggly and extremely sensitive to cold. They should be grown in frost free areas or in containers which can be moved to a safer location.

Pummelos, which look like a big, thick shinned grapefruit, peel like a navel orange. The flesh isn't as juicy as that of a grapefruit and may range from sweet to fairly acid depending on the variety. Four of the available varieties are 'Chandler,' 'Hirado,' 'Reinking,' and 'Tahitian.' 'Chandler' is most suited for the Bay Area and requires the same care as a grapefruit tree. In this area, the fruit matures in early spring and is edible. In warmer areas the fruit will mature in mid-winter. As with kumquats, pummelos are favored during Asian celebrations.

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Wegman's has a large selection of indoor plants for your home or office. Now that the holiday glitter is all put away, this is a perfect time to add the color and texture of houseplants to your home.

Wegman's welcomes our new indoor plant buyer, Darina Vassileva. In joining our team Darina has brought incredible knowledge and skill to this area--and our customers get all of the advantages.

Darina is excited to help you select the perfect plant for your specific needs. Also, she can find specimen plants and special order them for you. So, if you don't see something you love or if you have been looking for something specific for a long time we can help you. Darina specializes in using growers and suppliers that provide plants that are bug and disease free. Below are some tips from Darina for Winter Indoor Plant Care.

So for your home or office or that special Valentine gift, think of Wegman’s for all of your indoor plant needs.

Darina’s Tips for Winter Indoor Plant Care
• During the shorter days of winter, place your indoor plants closer to windows or bright reflective areas in the home or office.
• Keep plants away from heater vents and fireplaces.
• If you need to groom, repot or stake any of your existing indoor plants, this is the time to do it! If you have any questions, please ask us.
• Clean the leaves of your plants or set the plants in the rain for a bath! But, be sure to bring them back in before the sun burns their leaves and bring them in before they get cold so don't leave them out overnight.

So for your home or office or that special Valentine gift, think of Wegman's for all of your indoor plant needs.

Buy the Felco 4 bypass pruner and get the leather holster free!

The most popular Felco 4 bypass pruner is teamed with their most popular holster. The holster, a $12.99 value, is made from heavy-duty grain leather with waxed thread and extra riveting for long lasting use. The holster is for your belt or pocket and there is a high-tension metal clip on back. This free holster will help to keep your Felco 4 pruners handy! Don’t let this savings opportunity get away!