Silver Birds

They are galvanized actually, but either way these metal birds in flight make fantastic ornaments for your tree.

We can't wait until spring, when we can hang them in the garden!

We Have Something Special For Your Front Door!

From now until Christmas Victoria Gardens will have a stunning array of custom, handmade wreaths.

We use fresh fir greens, so you can use them inside or out, and they smell fantastic.

Nothing welcomes friends and family like a holiday wreath on your front door!

Poinsettias: Odd Tidbits And Unexpected Advice

Native to Mexico, the plant we all know as Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is the top selling flowering potted plant in America.

We found this site with other fun poinsettia facts, and here are a few of our favorites:

• Poinsettias are commercially grown in all 50 states.
  
• Ninety percent of all poinsettias are exported from the United States (boost the U.S. economy, buy yourself a poinsettia!)
  
• The showy colored parts of poinsettias that most people think are the flowers are actually colored bracts (modified leaves).
  
• A study at Ohio State University showed that a 50 pound child who ate 500 bracts might have a slight tummy ache. (But we don't recommend you try this at home!)
  
• Seventy-four percent of Americans still prefer red poinsettias; 8 percent prefer white and 6 percent pink. (We love the pink ones! They're traditional with a twist.)
  

Like any other euphorbia, the milky white sap can cause skin irritation, so wash your hands if you get some on you, and don't rub your eyes! (During the 14th through 16th century the sap was used to control fevers, but again, we don't recommend you try this at home.)

If you leave your new poinsettia in the decorative foil, be sure to punch holes in foil so water can drain into a saucer.

And we found this advice on poinsettia care from Horticulture Magazine's website:

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
Bright light, normal room temperatures (60?–70?F), and regular watering suit newly acquired plants. Cut the stems down to six inches in the spring and keep the soil nearly dry until new growth appears. Repot and water well over the summer. In mid-fall, increase watering and feeding and keep the plant in total darkness for 14 hours a day until flower bracts form and begin to show color. Then treat normally.

Total darkness for 14 hours a day?! Who would ever guess that you stuff a poinsettia in your coat closet to make it bloom?

Local Artist Meg Oliver Featured at Our Holiday Open House

Victoria Gardens is featuring the work of local artist Meg Oliver for the holidays. All of Miss Oliver's ceramic pieces are hand thrown, hand cut and glazed. These porcelain pieces (votive candle holder, mug, and bowls) are particularly beautiful when light shines through the translucent cut outs, which then look like stained glass.

These and other pieces from Miss Oliver are on display and for sale at Victoria Gardens now through Christmas.

March of the Penguins

These adorable silver and white penguins will brighten any winter table scape or mantle.

Visit and be inspired by our other Holiday decorating ideas. Custom garlands, custom wreaths, and fresh cut Christmas trees also available.

Happy Thanksgiving!

From everyone at Victoria Gardens: We would like to thank all of you for making this another great season. We value all of our clients and customers, and we wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

Come by and see us one more time! We have fresh cut trees, custom wreaths, ornaments, and so much more! (Including these beautiful lit paper stars.)

We are closed today to eat turkey, but we will be open tomorrow 8:30 am to 6 pm, and this weekend is our Holiday Open House! Extended Holiday hours from now on Sundays 10 am to 6 pm.

If you can't make it here by 6, we will extend our hours upon request. Call us at (845) 658-9007.

And again, thank you.

White Porcelain Feather Ornaments

Elegant and modern these white porcelain ornaments come in five different styles and sizes. Great Christmas ornaments and keepsakes.

Be sure to come in and see all our Holiday decorations and gifts at our Holiday Open House this weekend, Saturday 8:30 am to 6pm and Sunday 10 am to 6 pm.