Northern California December Garden Checklist: Planting, Shopping & Maintenance

Shopping

Holiday Greens

Nurseries stock garlands, wreaths, and conifer swags. Spray untreated greens with an antitranspirant to slow drying. Embellish with cones, pods, and a raffia or wired‑ribbon bow.

Planting

Camellias (Zones 7‑9, 14‑17)

Shop for Camellia sasanqua and early C. japonica while they’re blooming to get the exact flower color. Upright varieties (‘Apple Blossom’, ‘Setsugekka’, ‘Yuletide’) suit hedges and containers; spreading types (‘Chansonette’, ‘Showa‑No‑Sakae’) work for espaliers and groundcovers. Sasanquas tolerate more sun except in hot inland areas. Japonicas make lovely specimens and espaliers—choices include ‘Alba Plena’, ‘Daikagura’, ‘Debutante’, ‘Elegans’, ‘Nuccio’s Carousel’, ‘Nuccio’s Gem’, ‘Wildfire’.

Perennial Vegetables (Zones 7‑9, 14‑17)

Bare‑root asparagus, horseradish, and rhubarb are available now. Plant in well‑tilled soil, water well at planting and between rains.

Poinsettias

Choose plants with dark green leaves; avoid those stored in paper sleeves (causes leaf drop). Indoors: bright indirect light, away from heater vents. Outdoors: under an overhang; protect below 45‑50°F. Water when top soil feels dry. Display ideas: cluster red and white in a large basket, or group unusual bract colors.

Primrose (Primula obconica)

Showy with large bloom clusters, but the chemical primin on stems/leaves can cause skin rash. For sensitive gardeners, seek the primin‑free ‘Libre’ series (blue, magenta, pink, light salmon, white).

Maintenance

Protect Strawberries

Cover plants with floating row covers (lightweight synthetic fabric) through winter for stronger spring yields. If planting new strawberries, choose a sunny site not used for strawberries in several years, add ample compost, and mulch.