2018 Holiday bloomInspiration for your Garden, Home & Lifestyle from Al’s Garden Home The Season starts Holiday 2018 with Al’s Annual 5 12 16

Thursday, November 1st 22 Al’s of Sherwood Saturday, November 3rd Al’s of Woodburn Thursday, November 8th Al’s of Wilsonville 4 Letter from Jack Saturday, November 10th The of Tradition 12 Al’s of Gresham Christmas Color 5 Crushes 16 Come join in the festivities as Al’s Garden & Home Poinsettia Points of Holiday Gift Guide welcomes in the Christmas Season with our annual Interest 14 22 Evening of Lights. We’ll showcase our Grown By Al’s Making Old poinsettia collection, designer-decorated Christmas trees, 10 D.I.Y. Gifts for the Traditions New Gardener and the latest holiday decor. Our warm greenhouses are Decorating Big for the perfect place to enjoy live holiday music, delicious food and drink, and more Christmas treats. Smaller Spaces Admission is FREE Learn more at als-gardencenter.com/EOL

On The Cover: From left to right: Al Bigej, Jack Bigej with son Mark, and Ann Bigej show off their freshly flocked Christmas Trees in 1975 By Dorothy Russo Al’s Poinsettia Grower The Roots of Tradition By Jack Bigej Al’s Son & 2nd Generation Owner

ou don’t get to be in business trees in the early 70’s when it was so has other things on her to-do list during Poinsettia for 70 years without gathering a popular that half of all the Christmas the holidays, we can only produce so bunch of stories and traditions trees we sold were flocked. I used to stay many and sell out every year. Shop early Yalong the way that define who you are up until 2 am flocking trees several nights to find your favorite to decorate your Points of Interest and where you came from. I’ve been at in a row to make sure we had enough front porch. this for a lot of years and have to admit for the next day’s sales. We still flock a We look forward to kicking off the that the saying is true: “It’s not work large number of trees at all of our Al’s oinsettias are by far the most beloved Christmas and the best-selling potted plant in the United holiday season and hope you will join us when you are doing what you love!” I locations, and thankfully, we have more for our 18th Annual Evening of Lights in States and Canada. It’s no wonder that our growers here at Al’s have spent nearly 30 years perfecting don’t plan on quitting anytime soon, as space to hold them so the 2 am flocking P early November. The beauty of Christmas growing them. From their arrival as baby cuttings in early June, to the time that they are shipped out of growing and more importantly, has gone out the door. lights will set the tone while the sights selling them has been my passion since as our greenhouse doors in November and December, we are pinching, spacing, and preparing them for a Poinsettias are well known across the and smells of the holidays will surround far back as I can remember. world as a Christmas favorite! In the you. Keep an eye out for Al’s exclusive Ice successful future in your home! Although their popularity as a Christmas favorite hasn’t changed, we have The holidays are full of traditions and 80’s, we began selling poinsettias at our Apples, making their debut as soon as the seen a huge shift in the growing of poinsettias from the early 90’s, when we first began, to today. Below is a definitely add special meaning to the retail store but it wasn’t until the early first hard frost hits! One of our newest peek into what poinsettia production looks like today and how we got started nearly 3 decades ago. season. At Al’s Garden & Home, many 90’s that we got in on the fun by growing traditions that we are so proud to partner things have changed over the years but our own crop. We started our first year with is the Les Schwab Toy Drive. For some things are just too good to ever go with just 300 plants, all Freedom Red! It the first time last year, Al’s participated away. Some of our favorite memories and went so well that within a few years, we in gathering new, unwrapped toys that laughs have come from simply spending began selling to fundraisers and quickly were then delivered to children in need time together in the business with my increased the size of our crop from there. through many non-profit partners. On kids and grandkids, whether it’s gathering This year, we will grow close to 36,000 November 29th, Good Day Oregon will Sugar Pine Cones over in Central Oregon poinsettias. Although half of our crop be hosting a special collection event at for the Fir Ball Baskets (because certainly is still traditional red, we are falling for Al’s in Sherwood. We hope you will join the pine cones on this side of the unique colors that add variety and jump- us in giving back to the community! mountain aren’t good enough) or tagging start the poinsettia season in late fall. As 2018 comes to a close, my family and Christmas trees If you have come to any I would like to thank you for being a up in the hills. It of our retail stores during part of the traditions here at Al’s Garden is comforting to the holidays, you have no & Home. Our business has grown and continue some doubt caught a glimpse of thrived for over 70 years because of of our favorite the large Fir Ball Baskets you!! We are grateful for your patronage holiday endeavors hanging at the front doors and hope that your holidays are spent and also fun and also for sale inside. surrounded by family and friends, to create new In an effort to extend the building new memories and celebrating traditions over the hanging basket season, long-lived traditions. We look forward years. my wife started decorating to serving your garden needs in the New Flocking fir ball baskets more than Year! Christmas trees is one of my first holiday 20 years ago. These amazing baskets are memories at the store and I have been beautiful and decorated with ornaments doing it since dirt was young (and so was and ribbon that make them shine! I, for that matter). We started flocking Because they are handmade and my wife

4 • als-gardencenter.com Holiday 2018 • 5 Did You Know? • Despite rumors to the contrary, Poinsettias are NOT poisonous! Extensive studies have shown that this holiday flower is not dangerous for pets or people. • Poinsettias are not frost tolerant, so don’t put them on your porch or leave them in the car for hours if you live here in the Pacific Northwest. They will grow outdoors in temperate coastal climates such as Southern California, and can reach 10-15 feet tall! • Not all poinsettias are created equally. Though most poinsettia plants come from the same original source, how they are handled THEN vs. NOW makes a huge difference in the quality of the plant. Using a ring Poinsettia Vocabulary to support the and spacing the plants adequately to allow Black Cloth: The process of creating for full growth, creates the quality poinsettias that Al’s is known for. complete darkness 12 hours a day to • The most common question people have about poinsettias is how force the poinsettias to color. We use We grew 300 poinsettias our first season in 1 size We are currently growing 42,000 plants in 5 different to get them to rebloom. Let’s just say that it’s a bit complicated, large black tarps that are pulled over (6-inch.) sizes but we do have a handout about it if you want more information. wires to make a blanket of darkness over the entire poinsettia house. We • The #1 poinsettia care mistake is overwatering. do this process during the month of We had one variety - Freedom Red, which is still on the September, so they will be in bloom for We now grow 36 different varieties. market, but we now grow more resilient red varieties. early November. Bracts: The showy, colored parts of poinsettias that most people think of as 100% of the plants we grew were red. 50% of the plants we grow are red. the flowers, although they are actually modified . The yellow flowers, or We grow our poinsettias in over 15 greenhouses at our cyathia, are in the center of the colorful All of our poinsettias were grown in one greenhouse at largest facility in Hubbard and in the back greenhouses bracts. the back of our Woodburn location approximately 3,500 of our Gresham store encompassing almost 80,000 Breaks: The side shoots that form when square feet. square feet. young poinsettia plants are “pinched” (cut), leading to a fuller plant and more flowers. The number of “breaks” We had two fundraisers in our beginning years...they coincides with the number of flowers. were for the Lake Oswego Swim Club and West Linn We currently serve over 100 fundraising groups. Lions Club (both of which we still serve today!) Photoperiodic: Poinsettias bloom in response to the length of the day, or photoperiod. They like short days, 35% of our crop is for fundraisers while the other 65% 100% of our crop was for our retail store (then only our meaning the night must be greater is sold to churches, other wholesale customers and than 12 hours a day to trigger the Woodburn location). We added fundraisers in 1993 through our retail stores. bracts to color.

We sleeve all of our poinsettias that go out on delivery We used to hand-load the poinsettias in flats onto truck to protect them from breakage/cold weather and deliver boards. them on racks.

We didn’t know better, so we used a regular greenhouse We use a unique soil blend that was developed by our potting soil. grower to optimize poinsettia health. A Colorful Accident 2 full-time employees cared for our initial poinsettia 10 full-time employees are dedicated to growing and We were the first grower/retailer (that we know of) to offer painted poinsettias to our crop. caring for our poinsettia crop. customers, but we happened upon it by accident. While overhead watering with blue fertilizer water, we sprayed the leaves and bracts, causing them to turn blue. We spent hours polishing the plants so they would be sellable. Today, we purposefully paint a small We received our first shipment of poinsettia cutting Our poinsettia cuttings originate from Ethiopia, El percentage of poinsettias for retail sales. If you are looking for purple (our favorite!), from the Paul Ecke Ranch located in Encinitas, California. Salvador, and Mexico. turquoise, or shades of magenta in your poinsettia palette, we’ve got the unique plant for you.

6 • als-gardencenter.com Holiday 20172018 • 7 Wreaths 10”-20” in stock. 24”-36” available by special order. Garland Available by the foot, or in 25 & 50 ft. rolls. Fresh-Cut Greens Sold by the pound. Your Home Centerpieces Pre-made. Available in small or large sizes. Decorated or undecorated. Decorative Accessories Freshly Customize your colors with bows, picks, ornaments and candles. Noble Fir Trees Al’s proudly Supports the Semper Fi Fund Decorated For every cut sold between We head out to the tree farms in July to call “dibs” on these fresh, premium, locally-grown Christmas trees. November 26 and December 24, Al’s will donate $1 to this worthy cause. Limited quantities, please call stores for availability. See store for additional varieties, sizes and prices. for Christmas Available at Al’s starting in late November. learn more at semperfifiund.org

Flocked Trees Add the look of recent snow to any fresh-cut tree with our flocking service. We can custom flock your tree just the way you want it. Light or heavy dustings, branch tips only... we can even add sparkles to replicate the glistening effect of fallen snow! Please call our stores for flocking options and pricing. Trees generally ready for pick-up between 48-72 hours. Size limitations apply.

8 • als-gardencenter.com Holiday 2018 • 9 Tuck, Tuck, Tuck If you have a collection of village houses, instead of erecting a big town scene, the trick is to instead By Barb Florig tuck them here and there, actually Al’s Visual Designer anywhere there is a small space. The overall feeling is that of a village, without actually taking up such a big footprint.

Over The Top When decorating for small spaces you may need to use your Decorating BIG environment creatively. Think vertically! What about suspending a Christmas tree from the ceiling, For Smaller Spaces just over your coffee table where the lamp usually is? Anything you can hen it comes to decorating for Christmas, not everyone has a grand entrance with soaring suspend to save precious floor space Wvaulted ceilings, or that picture perfect bay window just begging for a large Christmas tree is a win in our book. Chandeliers to be seen by all those passing by. Many of us are happily challenged with making our Christmas and pot racks are great preexisting spaces jus asking to be decorated. decorating statement in a more intimate space. So if you find yourself wondering where the heck the Christmas tree is going to fit, fear not. Al’s Experts have some small space decorating tips just for you that may or may not involve a tree. Don’t Forget the Candles The quickest way to add ambiance to any room is by lighting a candle. Use Existing Surfaces Hygge is a Danish word inspired by and Containers the feeling of coziness and comfort, Adding fresh garland to the tops so it’s no surprise that the Danish of doorways and windows takes light more candles in a single year an everyday element of your home than any other nationality. So when and makes it special. Continue looking to add that Christmas feeling adding garland across the tops of to your home, don’t forget the glow your pictures and mirrors to tie the and scent that a lit candle can bring. whole room together. Accent with ornaments or ribbons to add color and texture.

Everyday Items Take On That Christmas Spirit The candy bowl or accent vase that stands guard all year long, needs a little love this time of year. By simply filling it with Christmas candy or miniature ornaments, and embellishing with a holiday place mat or table runner, you’ve got yourself a Christmas tablescape.

10 • als-gardencenter.com Holiday 2018 • 11 @ Home By Candace Moffatt Al’s Gift Buyer

Green and red mixed with silver or gold is Christmas Color Crushes always an instant classic. To see our version of this classic, you can find it in Al’s Christmas Tree Looks: “Taste of Christmas”, and “Vintage Christmas” GREEN Green continues to be a favorite when it comes to home decorating and it holds RED, WHITE & BLUE true for Christmas decorating also. The A nostalgic nod to Americana. feeling of bringing nature inside - the freshness, and crispness - make this color A pop of blue introduced to a classic red & white tree a holiday favorite! can be both timeless and playful! This color combination brings back a vintage feel when used together with red, Green on green - think Olive, Emerald, and a cool icy feel when blue is used alone with white. Pine, and Citron, all working together to create texture and interest. Creative examples of the mixing of these colors can be found Deep hues of green in wreaths, mistletoe, in Al’s Christmas Tree Looks: “Waiting for Santa”, and “Hot and evergreen trees set the canvas for Chocolate Holiday” decorating. Green has always been a traditional color for Christmas, but the mixing of the complementary colors make it feel new! Green paired with white looks pure and clean, and can be used for both modern and traditional decor.

This combination can be seen in Al’s WOODLAND HUES Christmas Tree Looks: “More Than Green”, and “Christmas Conservatory” Living in the Pacific Northwest, we need to always add a touch of nature to our Christmas trees. The rustic look and feel of wood pairs well with all holiday colors and by adding birds, acorns, and pinecones help bring the outside in. Whether you’re going for a lux lodge feel, or natural woodsy feel, this natural color combination adds instant warmth to your decorating.

This look can be found in Al’s Christmas Tree Looks: “Winter Woods”, “Winter Event”, and “For the Birds”

12 • als-gardencenter.com Holiday 2018 • 13 @ Home By Candace Moffatt For the Al’s Gift Buyer Gardening Enthusiast or Backyard Making Old Traditions New Admirer

ur most popular Christmas ornaments are from Old World. With over 150 hand- Opainted designs, it’s a collector’s favorite! The Old World Christmas display is one of the first areas we set up for Christmas, so our Old World collectors can be the first to pick up the newest designs for the year, and any other favorites. If you are new to collecting these beautiful ornaments, we suggest you start with the Miniature Gherkin. The story behind this beloved ornament is a wonderful start to bring this tradition into your home.

The Story of the Gherkin Ornament Pickle ornaments were considered a special decoration by many families in Germany, where the fir tree was decorated on . The pickle was always the last ornament to be hung on the Christmas Tree, with the parents hiding it in the green boughs among the other ornaments. For the When the children were allowed to view the tree for the first Foodie time, they would begin gleefully searching for the pickle (or your Best ornament. Friend) The children knew that whomever first found that special ornament would receive an extra little gift leftby St. Nicholas for being the most observant child.

14 • als-gardencenter.com Holiday 2018 • 15 Gift Guide One Gift for You, Gift Guide One Gift for Me Gifts for the Hostess Holiday

Christmas Time Deep reds and greens of amaryllis flowersHoliday are enhanced with gold foil to welcome the season. Scent: Fresh green ivy, floral cyclamen, and woodsy cypress

Deck the Halls Glitter accents of snow-capped pines framing the vintage red truck delivering Christmas trees.

Ho Ho Ho Happy Holiday sentiments decorate Candles are always on the list for gifts and for decorating your this graphic red and white design. own home. These scents of the season kick off that holiday feel and set the mood for all those guests that you will be entertaining, or just enjoying yourself snuggled up by the tree!

Scent: Cedar wood and balsam blended with toffee, cinnamon, and amber

Scent: Peppermint with touches of spearmint, vanilla, and eucalyptus

Michel Design Works has beautiful packaging and quality products that make it an instant gift. For this year’s new Holiday Collection, they have added festive, decorative bells to each of their foaming hand soaps. Perfect alone for gift giving.

Soap Bar Foaming Hand Soap Hand & Body Lotion Dish towel Illume Etched Glass Candle Tried & True Jar Candle Tried & True Jar Candle Paddywax Scented Candles Assorted Holiday designs Assorted Holiday designs Assorted Holiday designs Assorted Holiday designs Large $54 Xtra Large $26 Diffuser $16 Large $20 $9.95 $11.95 $14.95 $9.95 Large $32 Large $18 Room Spray $9 Small $10

16 • als-gardencenter.com Holiday 2018 • 17 Gift Guide It can be hard to shop for that one Aunt, or find a last Gift Guide minute gift for a co-worker, but these unique gifts The Whimsy of the Season will keep giving long after the holidays are over. One Of A Kind Gifts

HolidayOne of the most exciting trends this Holiday season is felt, wool, novelty ornaments, and desk decor items! Not just for the kids, these cute little wool ornaments liven up any tree and are great Stainless steel interior, with conversation pieces. slip-proof bottom and easy- to-grip sides. Keeps drinks cold for 9 hours and hot for 3! Available in a variety of colors.

Stone wrap combines gemstone beads with metal beads and effortlessly converts from a bracelet to necklace. Wrap four to five times for a bracelet, or layer one to two times as a necklace! Each piece is presented on a card that tells the meaning and property of each stone

Made right here in Portland! Why not a flight of local honey for that tea lover or a gift representing Oregon!

Icelandic Wood Fairies $14.95 Wool Fairy Mouse $14.99 Large Wooden Deer $6.50 Ceramic Reindeer Planter $9.99 Corkcicle Stemless Tumbler Scout Stone Wraps Bee-licious Felt Christmas Tree $8 Wool Reindeer Ornament $12.99 Wood Bear & Tree Stand $5.95 Concrete Snowman $4 Assorted Styles Pictured on left $28 Gourmet Honey Flight w spoon Wool Bird/Owl $4-$8 $24.95 Pictured on right $22 $34.95

18 • als-gardencenter.com Holiday 2018 • 19 Tillandsias for the Modern Gardener If your friend or family member’s decorating style is more minimalist and modern, then Tillandsias are the perfect By Judy Alleruzzo gift for them. Tillandsias are members of the Bromeliad Al’s Houseplant Buyer family which can live on trees and other non-soil surfaces. Tillandsias derive their nutrients from the air, so they are also know as airplants. This gives them the unique ability to be mounted on decorative objects, placed on walls, or suspended from the ceiling. The possibilities are limited only to your imagination. DIY Gifts Create a Kit You’ll need for the gardener • Unique container - get creative, the sky’s the limit! • Tillandsia plants. erhaps you have a gardener on your Christmas list and are wondering what to gift them. If you are a little • Spray mister for watering. • Direction sheet. Pcrafty yourself you can put together DIY kits of all your gardener’s favorites, all ready to make their own. By choosing all the “parts & pieces” you are taking great care to help curate their gardening success! Directions: Preferred temperature range is 50 to 90 degrees F. They also prefer Directions: a cooler night time temperature of 10-15 degrees F below their Terrariums for the 1. Place a layer of decorative rocks daytime temperature. Hands On on the bottom of the container. You Provide them bright, filtered light. A position near a window, Gardener can also use marble, glass beads, away from air currents would be ideal. The brighter the light, What’s better than creating your etc. or anything to allow for good the higher the humidity required, and watering more often is drainage. own little garden? Terrariums are needed. Natural light is preferred, but artificial lights made all the rage right now because they 2. Add a well-draining potting mix especially for growing plants indoors can be used. allow you to bring a piece of nature (a cactus soil mix works fine). You Drench regularly to provide moisture. Additional misting need a quick draining soil that into your home. Plus, they can may be needed in hot, dry conditions. Tillandsias need will keep the plants from sitting in regular drenching of the entire plant. challenge our creativity. water. Thoroughly wet the plant 2-3 times a week, less Create a Kit 3. Add small, slow growing plants often in a cool humid environment, or more in very to include in the scene. Care should hot, dry conditions. The plant can be placed in the You’ll need be taken to group plants with sink, then water run or sprayed over it until it is • Glass container similar water, light exposure and soil saturated. This only takes a few seconds. • 3-7 2” plants requirements. Prune as necessary to keep plants in scale with the Alternatively, air plants can be sprayed with a mister • 1 bag of small stones container and/or scene. until thoroughly wet, which can help keep the plant • 1 bag of potting soil hydrated in dry conditions or hot temperatures. • Small accessories (optional) 4. Arrange plants in a way that Misting or spraying does not replace regular is pleasing to the eye. You may watering by drenching or soaking. • All-purpose water soluble fertilizer. want to accessorize your scene by • Direction sheet. adding miniature bridges, buildings Give them adequate air circulation. Tillandsias need and people. good air circulation to prevent rot. After watering, always shake off excess water. Hold it upside down Make your kit creation even easier with to shake out any water remaining at the base of pre-made Terrarium Kits from SuperMoss®. the leaves. This central core of the plant is the most Available in Forest or Beach themes. susceptible to rot from excessive moisture. Just add container, plants, and soil!

20 • als-gardencenter.com Holiday 2018 • 21 Give the Bring this coupon in to Al’s $ Succulents for the and get TWO 50 On-Trend Gardener Who can resist a cute little succulent? Succulents are ideal for beginning gardeners that may be a Al’s Gift Cards tad bit hesitant about adopting something too $ exotic. Gift them this DIY kit, and they can be for 75 trendy and successful at gardening at the same Valid November 15 - December 24, 2018 time. Since succulents come in so many different In-store gift card purchases only. Not redeemable for cash. Limit one pair of gift cards per coupon. shape, sizes and colors, you don’t need many Not valid on previous purchases. to create a pleasing combination. The trick is choosing a container with lots of character.

Create a Kit Bring this coupon in to Al’s You’ll need $ • Container of your choice - try wood, and get TWO 50 ceramic, or metal • 3-7 succulent plants Al’s Gift Cards • 1 bag of Cactus Mix potting soil. $ • All-purpose water soluble fertilizer. for 75 • Direction sheet. Valid November 15 - December 24, 2018 In-store gift card purchases only. Gift Cards do not expire. Not redeemable for cash. Limit one pair of gift cards per coupon. Directions Not valid on previous purchases. 1. Make sure your container has a drain hole. Drill one if possible. If not, Place a layer of decorative rocks on the bottom of the container. You can also use marble, glass beads, etc. or anything to allow for good drainage. Fresh from the 2. Add a well-draining Cactus Mix potting soil that will keep the plants from sitting in water. 3. Add your succulents, taking care to group plants with similar water, light exposure and soil requirements. Prune as necessary to Send a gift from the Northwest to keep plants in scale with the container and/ Northwestsomeone across the miles with! or scene. Christmas Wreaths locally grown and harvested 4. Arrange plants in a way that is pleasing to wreaths from Al’s! the eye. You may want to accessorize your scene by adding natural elements such as 10” Wreath $27.99 wood, rocks or shells. 12” Wreath $29.99

$ 14” Wreath 34.99 Order in-store or online at

$ als-gardencenter.com 16” Wreath 39.99 Available beginning Nov. 20th We hope that you get to spend quality time with your family and friends this holiday season, and a fun little gardening project may be just the excuse to bring you together. Whether you gift your DIY Orders will be processed within two business days of order kit to your favorite gardener, or choose to complete the project together to gift to someone else, we placement. Shipping costs vary by “ship to” destination. hope your holidays are filled with special moments. Orders are subject to availability

22 • als-gardencenter.com 16920 SW Roy Rogers Road Sherwood, OR 97140 (503) 726-1162 1220 N. Pacific Highway Woodburn, OR 97071 (503) 981-1245 7505 SE Hogan Road Gresham, OR 97080 (503) 491-0771

27755 SW Parkway Ave Wilsonville, OR 97070 (503) 855-3527 als-gardencenter.com

These juicy sweet apples are exclusive to Al’s Garden & Home, so don’t miss the opportunity to share in this delicious seasonal treat! $ .99 /lb. 1While supplies last!