Everyone needs a little R and R, and for houseplants winter is the time to get it. Daylight is dramatically reduced, the air is dry, and temperatures are cool - not the perfect growing conditions. Follow these tips to keep your houseplants in shape through the winter.

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In most parts of the country the gardening season is winding down and preparations are under way to put the garden to bed. That's a somewhat misleading phrase because, for instance, in my Chicago garden many plants (the witch hazels, creeping sedums, aster rosettes, and a few precocious snowdrops) are active in winter. Also, it is not yet time to pull the blanket of mulch over the garden. That comes next month when the ground begins to freeze.

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If you're looking for a plant with year-round appeal, holly belongs near the top. No matter where you live, hollies offer shiny red, orange, or yellow berries, and many varieties have characteristic waxy leaves that cloth the plant in all seasons.

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