The top five 'other' flowering plants for the holidays - Cyclamen, Gloxinia, Amaryllis, Paperwhites and....Hydrangea?

Believe it or not, some people just don’t like poinsettias. Certainly not the majority of people, but if you are one of them, don’t despair. There are several seasonal flowering plants which will give you months of satisfaction as flowering houseplants. What hostess would not be thrilled with a ‘green’ gift that’s just a bit different from the six poinsettias she/he already has lining the banquet table?First in the line up is the cyclamen. Now there are hardy cyclamen that bloom outside in the garden, but the more common version is the florist’s cyclamen, (Cyclamen persicum). This plant grows from a tuber and is native to the Mediterranean region of the world. In its natural habitat, it blooms in the cooler, damper weather of fall, winter, and/or spring and it goes through a dormant cycle during the dry months of summer. This will give you a key to how best to care for a cyclamen. They prefer temperatures between 55F-65F, bright light and good air circulation, and they can be watered from the bottom. If you do water from the top, water at the sides of the container since the tuber should be kept dry. Your cyclamen will last several months. When picking a cyclamen plant, pick one with just a few flowers open and lots of buds. Gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa) is a member of the Gesneriaceae family, which is the same family as African violets and the cape primrose. As such, it also prefers warm indoor temperatures and bright indirect light. It differs from its family members in that it grows from a tuber, and tubers generally have a dormant stage. Gloxinias are native to Brazil and come in a wide variety of flower colors. They are rich and velvety in both leaf and flowers. Lush is the word that comes to mind and we all need a bit of lushness in our lives.Amaryllis are well known to gardeners and non-gardeners alike. They have huge, very satisfying flowers and are available in an array of colors. Amaryllis kits are readily available at this time of year and they’re a great project for both adults and kids. The amaryllis is actually in the genus Hippeastrum, and it originates in tropical and sub-tropical areas of the Americas. Pot them up, water them and watch them grow. Amaryllis bulbs can be kept from year to year. Once the flower has bloomed, cut off the stalk and let the foliage develop. Put it outside during the summer months and fertilize every two weeks. Bring it back in the house before frost and wait for the flower stalk to emerge. Paperwhites, narcissus species, are as easy to grow as amaryllis. This tender bulb is best planted in a group either in soil or in marble or glass chips. Planting them in a straight-sided clear vase will keep them tidy but they can always be prettily tied with raffia and stakes to keep them upright. When planted in clear marbles where the roots are visible, there is the added dimension of watching those silky thread-like roots infiltrate the marbles. Keep a ruler handy and let the kids chart the growth each day. Their fragrance is heady and pleasant to some, though not to all. Cooler room temperatures keep the plants a bit shorter and bright light also helps. Yes, there is a hydrangea available for Christmas sale and it is a beauty. Shooting Star Hydrangea is actually a Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Hanabi’, which is a tender hydrangea, hardy in warmer zones than ours. It has both fertile and infertile flowers and is a member of the lacecap variety of hydrangeas. The white, star-shaped infertile flowers shoot off from the main cluster of small blue fertile flowers. It is lovely to behold and easy to grow. Water when dry to the touch and keep this plant in bright light and moderate room temperatures. One last suggestion for the person in your life who has a black thumb. Try a tillandsia. As much art as greenery, tillandsias - air plants - require only infrequent misting to maintain their health. There are tiny tillandsias and larger varieties, but these little mini-greenhouse ornaments available at the garden center make a perfect conversation piece in your home or as a gift to that person who can kill a silk plant. It is all about choices and there are enough to please everyone.