So there I was , browse through my favourite supermarket last night . It ’s a great storage , tons offresh constitutive green groceries , local produce , and a bakery that actually makes fresh whole pale yellow and sourdough bread .

And of course of instruction , I ’m get horticulture withdrawal at this time of year . C is on the footing , it ’s bitter cold for December , and all I can do is fantasise about the young garden projects I ’m going to contract amount springtime .

And then I ( surprisal ! ) found myself looking at the houseplants which descend in the white / green / cherry-red jazz band at this time of year . I discovered an perfectly beautiful , lilliputian , potted Christmas tree . At first , I think it was contrived because I had n’t seen this tree before . And the foliage was so perfect and greenish – tightly space , light , deep green , and very indulgent to the trace . The price was right-hand too ( what gardener can resist a deal ? ) . How , in all of my years , had I never noticed this tree / plant before ?

The argument inside my head get afoot :

Sure , it ’s courteous , but how heavy will it get , and where will I implant it in spring ?

It would be a skillful accent bit , but right now , it ’s only two foundation , so it wo n’t exactly serve as aChristmas treethis yr …

belike not aboriginal .

I seek the works tag , no information . On the container , I pick up the Word of God “ Norfolk Pine ” .   give thanks God for iPhones at time like these .

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Where are Norfolk Pines native?

A quick search revealed that Norfolk Pines are notnativeto Norfolk , Virginia , Norfolk , Colorado , Norfolk , Massachusetts , Norfolk , Mississippi , or Norfolk County , England . They ’re native toNorfolk Island , deep in the South Pacific , a tropical field between New Caledonia and Australia . In their native home ground , Norfolk Pines grow 80 - 200 feet and the cones can be as magnanimous as 15 pounds ( that makes their cone roughly the size of it of your head ) .

The right name is Norfolk Island Pine , know botanically asAraucaria heterophylla . And it ’s not even a pine ; it ’s aconiferous evergreen plant . It can only be turn outside in Zone 11 and in the lovesome areas of Zone 10 , like around San Francisco Bay . But once again , it ’s not aboriginal to anywhere in North America . Norfolk Island Pines are sensitive to cold and heat and dislike temperatures below 60 or above 85 degrees Fahrenheit . That seems near to the tomatoes I ’ve grown , not the trees .

Think twice before planting a Norfolk Pine Christmas tree in your yard

Okay , that solves the questioncan I plant a Norfolk Pine in my yard after the holidays?because that ’s hold out to be way too large . And it wo n’t make it the wintertime here inzone 6b . Not to mention that it ’s not even close to being a aboriginal plant , so would n’t be of any use in confirm local habitat . But here is where little Todd and grownup Todd have an argument : “ but I really want it , it ’s so beautiful ! ” “ no , it ’s not native and grows far too large for our prop ” , “ but I really want it ! “ , “ ca n’t have it – where will we keep it ? ” “ but I really need it ! “ , “ well maybe … ” , and adult Todd of course cave .

So unless you exist in a part of the world where ardent , humid air is a constant , you have just one option – growing a Norfolk Island Pine as a houseplant . They ’re beautiful indoor plants and marvellous accent for your Christmas decorating , so if the spirit move you , buy it . But be warned , a Norfolk Pine will eventually outgrow its container and your home . But probably not for many years . Unless you endure in a warm palace .

Care for a Norfolk Pine Tree

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