By Dr. Matthew Lisy, UConn Adjunct Faculty 

It is hard to believe it is that magical time of year again.  Thoughts turn to how we are going to celebrate the holidays.  This would, of course, include decorating our living spaces.  Fortunately for plant people, there are no shortage of choices for the season.  Plants also make wonderful gifts to take to a holiday gathering.  After all, they bring nothing but joy and cheer.   

The first holiday plant that comes to mind is the poinsettia.  Although native to Mexico, they seem to have found their way into every corner of the country.  It is not actually flowers that are the stars of the show, but the colored leaves.  What was once a beautiful red has been selectively bred for some absolutely amazing colors.  My all-time favorites include a newer snow-white colored one, yellow, and the orange varieties.  If two-tone leaves are preferred, there are neat red with pink centers and white with pink centers – both of which look absolutely stunning.  A new one for this year has snow white leaves with a slight pink blush at the center.  Of course it does not end there!  There are varieties like “Jingle Bells” which looks like the red has white paint splattered all over it, which makes it a real conversation piece.  The “Christmas rose” comes in many colors now and has the leaves swirled into a rose shape.    

The poinsettias are beautiful, but they take a little bit of TLC to get them to stay that way.  They should only be watered when they are dry to the touch on the surface.  Let them dry too long, and they drop leaves.  Cold drafts will produce the same result.  If water is splashed on the leaves, the spots will discolor and dry, ruining the look.  These plants are best watered from the bottom by filling the tray they are sitting in with water and letting the soil and roots wick it up.  Poinsettias tend to fall from grace after the holiday season, and therefore are treated as a temporary decoration. 

 There are a number of other plants that will make just as nice of a display.  The first is the Christmas cactus.  They bloom profusely this time of year.  They also make a great houseplant if they are allowed to dry out between waterings.  To get them to rebloom the following year, put them in a room that is only illuminated by natural light – mother nature will take care of the rest (they need a critical period of darkness to flower).  These plants can be so long lived that they can become family heirlooms.  

Some lesser-known plants include the frosty fern, which is not a fern at all, but a Selaginella (Spikemoss).  Although some species can tolerate extreme desiccation, the species sold during the December holiday season cannot.  These are great for people who love to over water because if they dry out at all, they will wither and die.  They actually prefer to be in moist, soggy soil but not submerged.  Cyclamen are nice looking plants with the flowers held above the leaves.  These are somewhat long lasting, but tend to go dormant.  They seem to be hard for most people to keep long term.  Kalanchoe plants have beautiful flowers of all different colors, but these are also a challenge to keep as a long-term houseplant.  Amaryllis bulbs can be beautiful when blooming, and after a dormant season may rebloom the following year.  These are easy to keep provided the watering is done only while growing and not while dormant or dying back.   

I do not know if it is the marketing or the colors of holiday plants that make them so popular, but do not forget about traditional houseplants for gifts.  Some nice philodendrons, spider plants, pothos, or snake plants certainly make wonderful additions to any home.  There are so many beautiful new varieties coming to the market all the time.  No matter what plant species is chosen, plants tend to put a smile on the face of the receiver.  In my opinion, there is no greater gift.  If the choices are too many, then why not get a gift certificate for a local independently owned nursery or greenhouse?  Happy holidays!!!    

The UConn Home & Garden Education Center supports UConn Extension’s mission by providing answers you can trust with research-based information and resources. For gardening questions, contact us toll-free at (877) 486-6271, visit our website at homegarden.cahnr.uconn.edu, or reach out to your local UConn Extension Center at extension.uconn.edu/locations. 

This article was published in the Hartford Courant December 13, 2025

By Pamm Cooper, UConn Home & Garden Education Center

Cupolas are small structures built over a hole in the roof centerline to provide light, ventilation, a nice view or perhaps some decoration to the overall structure. While found on many kinds of buildings including the International Space Station, the main purpose of barn cupolas is functional over form. With the advent of tighter barn construction to keep livestock warm during the winter, moisture buildup became a problem. The cupola became a necessary addition to barns to help reduce this moisture buildup and to allow fresh air to enter the barn.

While used in the Middle East and eventually in Europe, these structures were more decorative than functional. They were eventually used less as domes became more popular. In the United States, cupolas were introduced in the late 1700s by settlers from Europe and used as barns increased in size and allowed for more hay storage and livestock housing.  Tighter construction by means of siding and better roofing became the norm in the mid 1860s, and this resulted in ventilation issues as moisture levels increased.

The larger amounts of hay could build up heat and occasionally spontaneous combustion occurs if fresh air is not provided. Both the hay and the barn could be destroyed. Tighter barns also meant more moisture from both the breathing of the cows and from a constant deposit of urine and manure. Fresh air and the removal of moisture was needed for the health of livestock and to prevent mold developing on and ruining stored hay.

The solution was a nifty piece of architecture called a cupola. Farmers started installing cupolas as a means to draw out  hot, moist air and stale gases from manure via louvered slats on all four sides. Fresh air could also enter while rain and snow were mostly kept from entering the roof as these louvers were downward facing. The health of livestock kept in close quarters in cold weather improved, and mold development on stored hay was reduced through this ventilation. Additionally, livestock kept warmer in the cold months required less food, so hay lasted longer and in good condition.

The spacing, size, and number of cupolas needed depended upon the linear footage of roof centerlines. The number of livestock and amount of hay storage were also considered. This is why some barns have many of these structures, while other barns may only have one or two. Barns with open sides have no need for cupolas.

While the primary function of cupolas has been to provide ventilation for haylofts and livestock areas, there are many styles of cupolas that also incorporate various decorative designs. On Hanks Hill Road in Mansfield, there are two barns on two different properties near each other that have the exact same unique design, which is rather fancy while still being functional. I suspect the same person designed and built both as they are almost identical in decorative woodwork and unusual peaked roof lines. I have not found other cupolas with such intricate woodwork and wonderful design features.

Historic barns often have fixed or awning windows that either don’t open or that are hinged on the top or bottom and open only slightly.  Some cupolas are topped with a weathervane or a finial. Farmers took great pride in their barns. They could be a large investment, so it’s understandable that many put elaborate cupolas on their barns to make a statement about their pride and prosperity. As you drive around farm country, perhaps now you will notice some interesting cupolas that have been there all along.

The UConn Home & Garden Education Center supports UConn Extension’s mission by providing answers you can trust with research-based information and resources. For gardening questions, contact us toll-free at (877) 486-6271, visit our website at homegarden.cahnr.uconn.edu, or reach out to your local UConn Extension Center at extension.uconn.edu/locations.

This article was published in the Hartford Courant December 6, 2025