YOUR GARDEN GUY: Plant amaryllis and narcissus now for the holiday season

Plant amaryllis in containers now for holiday blooms.

In pots, plant "Paper White" narcissus for flowers in time for the holidays. Remember, "Paper Whites" do not require a chilling period to be forced indoors.

Don't hesitate! Now is the best time to buy and plant trees, shrubs and perennials. Look for sale items.

How about the fall leaf color! Peak leaf color will occur during the next two weeks. Take some time to enjoy God's handy work.

It's time to prune abelia "Edward Goucher." This long-blooming shrub can become unruly as it matures. I have found that cutting the shrub back to 2 to 3 feet from the ground every other November helps keep it under control. And yes, abelia will still flower heavily next summer.

Prune other evergreens now as well.

Pull up annuals as they start to decline or are killed by frost.

Remove faded flowers from camellia sasanqua now for better blooms from the remaining buds.

Todd Goulding provides residential landscape design consultations. Contact him at www.fernvalley.com or 478-345-0719.

This story was originally published October 28, 2015 at 6:34 PM with the headline "YOUR GARDEN GUY: Plant amaryllis and narcissus now for the holiday season ."