The plants outside are starting to change their shape and color. Given that the trees have shed their leaves and the ground is too frozen to plant almost anything, many Iowans are left twiddling their green thumbs wondering how they can manage to plant anything in this weather. Cindy Haynes, Associate Professor of Horticulture at Iowa State University, suggests planting some holly.
"The one that we see, as far as decorations, the shiny green one, doesn't do well in Iowa," Haynes says. "The Meserve Holly, which does have that English Holly dark green leaf and bright red berries, is hardy into Canada. We also have a holly that is a deciduous holly called Winterberry that sheds its leaves and shows you the berries, which is absolutely beautiful as well. Both of these do well in Iowa."
On this Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe speaks with Haynes and Iowa State Extension Horticulture Specialist Richard Jauron about plants to grow in the winter, gifts to give the gardener in your life, and they take questions from callers.