Inspire Valentine's Day passion with willows and roses

Inspire passion in your beloved gardener! Give him/her a living plant this Valentine's Day. When planted and tended with care, it's a gift that keeps on giving, beautifying the landscape for years to come. Here are two Valentine's Day-appropriate suggestions: the willow tree and the rose bush.

The Willow tree: an unexpected Valentine's Day surprise
For a dramatic gesture, how about a willow tree? Willows were traditionally associated with fertility and reproduction. The ancient Greeks, for example, believed willows increased a woman's chances of becoming pregnant and would lay branches from those trees in the beds of infertile women. (Sounds really uncomfortable!) Some Native American tribes also associated willow trees with fertility, laying willow branches in the beds of newly married couples. (Ditto!) Read more here about the willow tree's symbolic value.

Want to shop online for willow trees? Fast Growing Trees Nursery has 3-4 foot weeping willows for $39.95 plus shipping, and 5-7 foot ones for $99.95 plus shipping. Planting directions are supplied on the same page. Of course, you will want to bear in mind that a willow tree isn't going to make a good patio plant. They grow big! Get one only if your true love has a large yard with free space for an additional tree.

The Rose bush: a timeless expression of love
Your honey will need no explanation if you get him/her a rose bush for Valentine's Day. Who doesn't recognize the rose as the ultimate symbol of love? Red or pink roses are your best bet. Want to read up? Wikipedia has a wonderful introduction to roses. Not sure what kind of rose to get? Here's a fun online quiz that will help you decide! Finally, check out these rose planting tips at Rose Magazine's website.
Hungry for even more info? There's lots more rose care and rose growing advice right here at DIY Life!

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