Paul Bosland is a pepper plant breeder whose specialty adds zest and dazzle to the holidays.

Although poinsettias of all stripes and colors remain the best-selling holiday plant of choice, there are a number of good, winter-blooming options. Here are some elegant and carefree holiday houseplant suggestions:

The recent good rain and the seasonal decrease in daylight and heat are bringing on changes in the trees. As the annual cycle of leaf and shoot growth ends, another phase begins. The much-needed rain allows roots to absorb water and minerals. As depleted leaves fall, trees store up the food they made this year. At the same time, under, on, and all around the trees, associated organisms are also entering a new phase of activity. Most are either beneficial or harmless, but for those that cause disease and decay it’s time for us to act.

I can’t think of anything much sadder than a tree that has been “pruned” after tangling with power lines. On Redwood Road in Napa, not too far off the freeway, you can see sorry specimens that grew too tall and intersected overhead wires.