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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, January 8, 2016 | 16 Liven things up with indoor plants and flowers Beat the winter `blahs' with the best indoor plants and flowers, sure to bring an added touch of life and colour to your home this winter. As most of us know, the colder months can quickly turn from winter wonderland, to dreary and grey. Adding some indoor plants and flowers to your home is a great way to put a little spring back in your step. Research from Rutgers University indicates that the presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, heightens feelings of life satisfaction and affects social behaviour in a positive manner ­ making them a great addition to any home or office. "Adding a little greenery or some colourful flowers to your home really brings in a feeling of warmth and life," says Dejan Kristan, from Pick Ontario. "Especially during the winter months when all we see are bare trees and snow, indoor plants can really go a long way." Dejan offers the following suggestions to anyone looking for indoor plant species ideas: Poinsettias (potted) OPEN HOUSES Light: Place in a bright SATURDAY & SUNDAY 2-4 PM area, but keep out of direct sunlight. www.1905-506pilgrimsway.com Moisture: Water the plant whenever the surface $464,899 Mark kirton feels dry to the touch. Sales Representative Water until it drains out 905-842-7000 www.1901-303pilgrimsway.com the bottom, but don't let the plant sit in water. $489,900 Characteristics: aboutowne realty Poinsettias are known as corp., brokerage* independently owned www.markkirton.com and operated the typical Christmas plant, and are often just considered red. But the plants OPEN HOUSE SUN 2-4 also come in white and pink and a wide diversity of forms. The "marbled" type is one of the most fascinatJENNIFER ing, meaning that it is BROWNSON Sales Representative speckled with a red and white combination. When UNIT#2208 - 100 BURLOAK DRIVE people refer to the poinset$219,900 ­ Worry-free retirement living in a tia's "flowers" what they resort-like setting. Spotlessly clean with brand actually mean are the petnew carpeting and freshly painted in designer Escarpment Realty Inc., al-like leaves known as neutrals. Gym, library, salt water indoor pool, Brokerage shuttle for shopping, full range of social and "bracts." Zygocactus 905-632-2199 exercise programs, wellness centre. Ask me why Independently Owned & Operated Life in the dead of winter Light: Indirect natural light during the day, darkness at night. Moisture: Water the plant thoroughly, and then allow the top inch of soil to dry before watering again. Water less when you want the plant to start flowering. Characteristics: Zygocactus (or Christmas cactus) produce beautiful flowers during the winter. They are epiphytic cacti with tubular flowers and reflexed petals produced singly or in pairs at the end of protruding stems. The flowers come in a wide range of colours, but the most common are orange, red, white and pink. Cut Flower Bouquet (mixed) Don't forget that beautiful Ontario grown cut flower bouquets are available anytime with many local cut flowers available year-round. Ontario sourced cut flower bouquets can include wonderful fresh flowers such as Tulips, Gerbera Daisies, Cut Chrysanthemums, Snapdragons, Spray Roses and Alstroemeria. They can add amazing life and colour to brighten up any room, no matter the time of year. Moisture: It is important to change the water in the vase the flowers sit in every two days to maximize the life and vibrancy of the flowers. Amaryllis (potted) Light: Bright light Moisture: When first planted, water lightly. Once the flowering stem emerges, increase the amount of water though don't let the pot sit in its own water. Characteristics: Potted Amaryllis is grown from a large bulb and produces a cluster of three to eight trumpet-shaped flowers, which can grow about three inches long. The fragrant, six-petaled Advertorial my mother lives here. Mandatory Club fee. RSA OPEN HOUSE SUNday 2-4 LÉVEILLÉ s a l e s re p re s e n t a t i v e Abi GLuGosh* iAn mcsporrAn** Jon VAn Geest* Sales Representative* Broker** From LeFt: OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 2-4PM 2521 Postmaster Dr. OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 2-4PM 440 Carlisle Rd. 905.335.8808 Outstanding Muskoka-Like views backing onto Joshua Valley Park and Joshua's Creek Trail. Renovate this well maintained 4 bedroom home with in-ground pool, or build the home of your dreams. This very spacious home with double garage awaits the discerning buyer wanting to live in prestigious South East Oakville amongst multi-million dollar homes. Easy access to Highways and located within Oakville Trafalgar High School boundaries. 2197 Devon Road RENOVATOR'S DELIGHT · $1,099,800 Stunning freehold townhouse in a fantastic location with 3 spacious bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, hardwood floors, potlights, 9' ceilings, kitchen with granite counters, S/S appliances with walk-out to fenced-in and private backyard. Fully finished basement and detached 2 car garage. $599,900 Call Gaby for your private viewing! 1.12 acre Property on a Hilltop. Great Room with fireplace, Eat-in kitchen with granite, family room with stone fireplace & hardwood floors. Circular driveway with ample parking, detached garage plus a 35 X 40 workshop/garage with radiant heat. Close to Carlisle, golf courses & quick access to Burlington, Milton, Waterdown, Hwy 6, 403 & 401. blossoms are typically red, but there are variations that can also be pink, white and a striped. Anthurium (cut) Light: Direct light ­ as much as possible. Moisture: To get the most from your tropical anthurium, spritz the blossom daily with cool water. Also, keep the water in the vase fresh, replacing every few days ensuring that the water level is near the top of the vase. Anthurium can stay fresh for up to six weeks in your home! Characteristics: Cut Anthurium are heart-shaped and have a colourful spike (spadix) coming up from the centre of the flower. Anthuium are sold as stems, and often used as the centerpieces for arrangements because of their size. Many people do not believe that the anthurium is a real flower because of its waxy look. Potted Chrysanthemum Light: Bright light Moisture: Chrysanthemums like to be evenly watered but not over-watered. If the first centimetre or two of soil are dry, apply just enough water so that some comes out the bottom of the pot. Characteristics: Chrysanthemum come in a wide variety of colours, flower shapes and sizes. Both the potted plants and cut flowers are available year-round and make a great addition to any room and can last for prolonged periods. Spring Bedding Plants Winter doesn't last forever so this time of the year is a great time to start thinking about getting the most out of your garden. Ontario greenhouses produce a wide diversity of annual bedding plants. Plants such as Begonias, Geraniums, Petunias, Mandevilla Vines, Marigolds and Zinnias all add colour and beauty to any garden and are grown close to home. If space is limited, think 905.335.8808 about hanging baskets that www.gabyleveille.ca often have multiple plants 22 Carey St. Millgrove in one container. Because there are hundreds of different bedding plants it's important to find the right locations for light exposure and available moisture. Immaculate 3 bedroom Bungalow on See the plant tag for a quiet cul-de-sac! Renovated kitchen, more information or visit Hardwood floors, updated bathrooms, new pickOntario.ca. roof (2010), new furnace (2013) and newer water softener. Detached 25 X 25 ft garage with heating & central vac. $599,900