By Tamara Galbraith

We all know somebody with the notorious Black Thumb. These poor souls can't grow stuff to save their (or their plant's) lives, but gosh, they try. And they love plants. So what do you give such a person as a holiday gift?

How about Zamioculcas zamiifolia, a.k.a. the ZZ Plant? This jade-like houseplant hardly needs any water and doesn't require much light, making it perfect for the low-lit home or office cubicle environment.

Of course, folks afflicted with Black Thumb usually find a way to kill stuff, and overwatering a ZZ will do just that. The plant's large tuber serves as sort of an underground camel hump in that it stores water for dry times. The ZZ's thick rubbery leaves and stems store water as well, so watering every three weeks is sufficient. Fertilize only occasionally (maybe every two months) with fish emulsion. We recommend you use Dr. Earth Liquid Solution 3-3-3..

Other than the threat of overwatering, ZZ's are pretty much foolproof, which is a big reason why the species was awarded Foliage Plant of the Year in 2002. Stick a bow on one, give it to your favorite Black Thumb, and hope for the best.

By Tamara Galbraith

One of the three roses honored as AARS winners for 2007 has a familiar name and look, and just like her parents, she's a real knock-out.

Featuring even more heavy flower production and disease resistance than previous Knock Out Rose hybrids, 'Rainbow Knock Out' is a bushy and compact landscape shrub rose with short stems bearing glossy, dark green leaves. The delicate five-petaled flowers are two inches in diameter and are a deep coral-pink color with a yellow center finishing nicely to light coral. The blooms are single-form flowers that start out as pointed buds and appear abundantly throughout the growing season...even year-round in milder climates.

'Rainbow Knock Out' does not boast a strong fragrance, but the petals do emit a delicate sweet scent. Its smaller size makes it suitable for container growing in small spaces in nearly any part of the country. This sturdy, reliable rose is hardy to zone 4 (with some protection) and is fully resistant to black spot, mildew and rust.

Gardeners looking for a foolproof, compact rose will do a double take over this new beauty, and shouldn't have any reason look elsewhere.

By Tamara Galbraith

Celebrating the holidays surrounded by beloved children and pets always makes this time of year sweeter. But the little darlings sure can get into trouble when your back is turned, eh?

And that's why it's important to be aware of the plants you've got decorating your holiday setting each and every year. Little fingers like reaching for bright red berries, and curious puppies and kitties can eat anything and everything in sight, leaves and all. So let's run down a few popular holiday plant choices and what you should watch out for:

Poinsettias:
For many years, this popular beauty was thought to be extremely toxic. However, recent studies have shown that, while ingestion certainly isn't recommended, eating the leaves won't cause instant death either. Keep it out of reach of curious kids and pets, and be careful when handling it yourself; the sap can cause a poison ivy-like reaction on the skin.

Holly:
The greatest danger isn't the pointy-sharp leaves (although those are a nuisance); it's eating the bright red berries, which can result in extreme stomach and intestinal problems.

Amaryllis, Kalanchoe:
Somewhat toxic, but large amounts would have to be eaten for real trouble to occur.

Jerusalem Cherry, Pyracantha, Bittersweet, Helleborus niger, Mistletoe, Laurel, Yew:
All are highly toxic (especially the berries, when present) and should definitely be kept well away from children and pets.

Be smart about other plants too, or at least, where you have them positioned. Toddlers with a penchant for trouble can eat potting soil containing toxic fertilizer, or pebbles just big enough to be choked on. Don't put heavy plants where they could potentially fall on a child or pet. Watch out for dangling vines that kids or pets can pull on or get tangled in during a rambunctious moment...and you know the holidays bring plenty of those.

By Tamara Galbraith

That holiday superstar, the poinsettia, actually has its own holiday. By an Act of Congress, December 12 was set aside as National Poinsettia Day.

The date marks the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett, who is credited with introducing the native Mexican plant to the United States. During Poinsett's appointment in Mexico, he wandered the countryside looking for new plant species. In 1828, he discovered a beautiful shrub with large red bracts growing next to a road. He took cuttings from the plant and brought them back to his greenhouse in South Carolina.

Years later, William Prescott, a historian and horticulturist, was asked to give 'Euphorbia pulcherrima' a new name as it became more popular. At that time Mr. Prescott had just published a book called the Conquest of Mexico in which he detailed Joel Poinsett’s discovery of the plant. So, Prescott named the plant the poinsettia in honor of Joel Poinsett’s discovery.

We're not sure what Mr. Poinsett would think of the latest trend in painting the colored bracts of his beloved plants with various shades of blue and layers of sparkles, but holiday shoppers certainly seem to dig them. Whatever the case, Poinsett's introduction is now a tradition that brightens the holidays every year.