By Tamara Galbraith and Carolyn Villa-Scott, Advanced CCN Professional

The All-America Rose Selections 2007 winner "Strike It Rich" will post big returns on your investment. Which is just stuffy stock talk for: you'll really love this rose and it will last a long time. "Strike It Rich" - bred from the 1950 AARS award-winner "Sutter's Gold" - is a vibrant yellow/orange grandiflora with ruby red swirls on the outer bloom petals and unusual red stems on the entire plant.

"Strike It Rich" is described by the AARS as having a "strong, sweet spice and fruit" fragrance, making it sound more like a cantaloupe, but the appearance is all rose: upright, bushy and, like all AARS winners, highly disease resistant. "Strike It Rich" was introduced by hybridizing guru Tom Carruth of Week’s Roses Like a treasure chest full of gold medallions, "Strike It Rich" will bring priceless shine to your garden.

Strike it Rich and our other new Roses are marching in the week of December 18 (weather allowing) and our 20% early order discount ends on Monday, December 11th. Get your early orders in quickly! Roses are the perfect Christmas gift, already in biodegradable paper pots and happy to stay there for months even until you or the recipient are ready to plant. We can even deliver them for you. Choose from other AARS winners, old favorites and Lorena’s picks. Strike it rich with roses. Make your choices from our 2007 Rose Catalog.

Click here to see our complete catalog

Brian Jardine is one of our friendly cashiers. He has been here since May of last year, starting in the facilities department. Then he became a cashier, partially because he enjoys working with customers as much as he does with plants. You could almost say gardening is in his blood since his name is derived from the French word for garden AND his grandmother, an avid gardener, worked here as a salesperson. Brian is currently a student at Foothill College studying Horticulture. He is a local lad, a graduate of Monte Vista High School.

When not at work, Brian enjoys gardening and taking his dog Max to the beach. His love of gardening actually began as a mercy mission to save his garden at home. (Apparently the gardening gene skipped his mom.) Now he delights in his container gardens and shade garden. Brian loves to sing and was in various musical productions in high school. He is now developing a taste for opera.

Brian’s favorite part of working here is working with the people. He enjoys helping customers and seeing them leave satisfied. As he gains practical experience here he is able to help both his co-workers and customers better. He has become a valuable member of our staff. Be sure to greet him on your next visit!

Accessorize your home and garden with gleaming suncatchers and wind chimes from Georgetown. These garden jewels are made of stained glass and copper in fanciful designs to hang in your windows or on your plants. They are ideal stocking stuffers, gifts for shut-ins or hostess gifts for those with a black thumb.

Everyone can appreciate the color, movement and light they offer, especially on dreary days. Choose from hula girls, fairies, dragonflies and many more. Come in soon while selection is still good. Bring bling to your garden and gift your friends with these suncatchers and wind chimes.

Last chance to buy spring blooming bulbs AND starting Thursday, December 7, most will be on close-out sale! It's not too late to plant them for a spectacular spring. They make excellent gifts in container gardens with colorful pansies and violas blooming on top. The bulbs will grow right through the pansies and put on a show of their own in spring.

Choose from a wide range of varieties including daffodils and tulips. Package bulbs and loose bulbs will be 50% OFF while supplies last. Sorry, its, paperwhites and amaryllis are not included in sale. Come in soon for your best selection of spring glory.

Living Christmas trees should be kept indoors for no more than two weeks. Brush out any dust or debris and water them well before bringing them indoors. During their stay inside, keep their soil moist by using trays of ice cubes. We suggest using a large saucer under the pot and removing any excess water from the saucer with a turkey baster.

Indoors they prefer a sunny, well-lit location. Avoid placing them by a heater, heater vent or fireplace. Use miniature lights and lightweight ornaments to avoid damage to the limbs.

After Christmas they need to be gradually readjusted to life outdoors. Hose them off after removing the ornaments. Put them in a location with afternoon shade for a couple of weeks before moving them to a sunny location. Keep them well watered especially in the summer. If left in a container, be sure to give them a quarter turn monthly for even growth and sun exposure all around.