The Gift of a Lifetime

Lots of people have been asking me about how to choose a gift that grows for a lifetime. Some people have hang ups about “choosing the wrong thing,” especially when the person they have in mind is an excellent gardener.

Well, let me reassure you about giving gifts that grow. You can never “choose the wrong thing” in my opinion. What could be lovelier or more loving than a gift that will give increasing pleasure?

For the gardenless or the garden-oriented, you can keep it fairly simple. For the dedicated gardener, anything that grows will be most welcome – particularly if it is a challenge or a specialty is acknowledged. For an enthusiastic gardener, you can choose something unusual like a lessor-known fern or bougainvillea, azalea, camellia or fuchsia. Unless they are an absolute fundi, most gardeners will welcome unusual varieties to add to their collections, so think about what they favour in their garden.

“Keeping it simple” ideas include a tree in a pot or a plant. Another idea is a basket full of indoor plants like luscious ferns or a good houseplant. There are lots of lovely containers available and they make the most of any houseplant – even quite small ones. A hanging basket of herbs is a lovely gift for a good cook and a container garden fits happily into any home. A Cactus garden is a super idea for the young – it is intriguing and undemanding of care.

You don’t need to know a great deal about specialist gardening to choose a gift. That is the Nurseryman’s job and we get great pleasure from listening to your needs and helping you to choose exactly the right gift.

Lastly, an occasion becomes a happy memory if a tree or plant is attached to it. Each time one has to water it, he or she will remember and relive the event and remember the special person who gave it to them.

Happy Gardening!!

Read more gardening articles from Ann:

• Gardening with Ann
• Gardening tips for the summer
• Gardening tips for early spring
• Gardening tips for winter