STANDFIRST: While many homes will adorn a Christmas tree as the centrepiece, there are many other green options for bringing colour and interest to your home and outside space...
Louise Smith, senior communications manager at Perrywood, which has garden centres in Tiptree and Sudbury says 'it wouldn’t be Christmas without a Poinsettia' and gives a bit of insight into the striking plant and also some top tips for keeping them looking their best.
'Houseplants generally tend to take a back step over Christmas, but one plant stands out as a timeless symbol of the festive season: the Poinsettia. With its vibrant red and green foliage, the Poinsettia not only adds a burst of colour to the home, but also carries with it a rich history and cultural significance that adds to its beauty.
'Poinsettias are renowned for their colourful bracts. These are often mistaken for flower petals but they are in fact a form of leaf. The real flowers are actually tiny and are found within the small yellow buds at the centre of each set of bracts. Though traditionally red, there are now over 100 varieties of poinsettia. New colours include pink, white, burgundy, yellow and some varieties have marbled or speckled bracts, adding even more interest.
'The Poinsettia originates from Mexico. The Aztecs used its vibrant colour to create dye and its milky sap for medicinal purposes. The plant was discovered in the early 19th century by Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico. A keen botanist, Poinsett began cultivating the plant. It soon became popular across the US. The Poinsettia's association with Christmas can be traced back to a Mexican fable - Pepita a poor girl had no gift to offer at the Christmas Eve service, but an angel appeared advised her to gather weeds from the roadside. When she placed them at the church altar, they miraculously transformed into bright red flowers, which came to be known as "Flores de Noche Buena" or "Flowers of the Holy Night."
'The star-shaped leaf pattern is also said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, which guided the Wise Men to the baby Jesus.'
Poinsettias have a reputation as being hard to look after. However, if you follow a few simple tips, you should be able to keep yours looking amazing throughout the Christmas season and beyond.
1. On its way home, your Poinsettia must be well wrapped in a plant sleeve to keep it protected from the winter temperatures.
2. Once home you will need to unwrap your plant as soon as possible as the stems can droop and twist if left wrapped for too long.
3. Place your Poinsettia near a bright windowsill, avoiding direct sunlight. Draughts can cause damage to the plant’s foliage, so place it away from an external door, open windows and radiators. Don’t let any part of your poinsettia touch cold window panes.
4. Poinsettias require a steady daytime temperature of 15-20°c and cooler nighttime temperature of 13-15°c.
5. Wait until the surface of the compost begins to dry out before you consider watering and never allow your plant to sit in water afterwards as this can lead to root rot.
6. Your plant will flower for longer if it is misted with water regularly and fed monthly with a houseplant fertiliser.
Louise added: If you’ve not yet braved a Poinsettia, try one this year. Consider it not just as a festive decoration but as a living connection to the past and a symbol of hope, renewal, and the joy of the season.”
perrywood.co.uk
Suzanne Walker, owner and creative director at Little Tin Shed Flowers in Billericay, is renowned for hosting luxury wreath-making and festive table arrangement workshops in the run-up to Christmas.
She says: 'People enjoy being crafty and get satisfaction from making something for their homes from scratch. It is also very relaxing – using the creative part of your brain is good for stress and mental health and wellbeing. It is also a great festive activity with friends and family.
'Customer satisfaction is really important to us. We try hard to ensure we have a good variety of materials to appeal to all people’s tastes. Our sessions are well staffed with experienced wreath makers on standby to help and guide where needed.
And how does she like to decorate her home?
'Personally, I prefer the more natural "naked" foliage wreaths for my own home with a nice velvet ribbon. But I do like to mix it up and sometimes the Christmas bling comes out.'
Although a busy time, Suzanne added: 'We always kick-off the beginning of festive season with wreath making and it is the start of the Christmas for our team. It's lovely to hear about everyone’s plans and Christmas shopping. The last week of December is always a mad dash getting all the last of the Christmas presents.'
littletinshed.com
Indoor and outdoor plants for Christmas.
Summerhill Garden Centre in Billericay is renowned for going big on Christmas…it’s Christmas display kicks off on the August bank holiday!
It also has a large houseplant section, so if you’re looking for a gift or a treat to yourself, there’s choice with a capital C.
Chris Botten, houseplant supervisor, agrees Poinsettia’s are the plant of Christmas but there’s also other candidates, too.
She said: 'Poinsettia are our most popular Christmas plant and come in a range of different colours including the traditional red, but also in pink and white, and they make good gifts.
'Our terrariums have continued to be popular and because they include miniature plants, they take a few years to grow. They’re also ideal for those with small spaces and as a gift.'
Houseplants are not just for adding interest in the home, as Chris says, it’s well-known 'plants are good for our health and good for better sleep', helping to clean indoor air by absorbing toxins, increasing humidity, and producing oxygen.
Summerhill also has Christmas trees, wreaths, outside plants and shrubs, which also bring colour and interest to the garden during the festive season. Holly bushes are still a popular option and Hellebores, known as the Christmas Rose, has pretty delicate flowers in many shades but is ok with winter elements.
Summerhill provides care leaflets so customers can see the guidelines for watering and the best position.
Whatever you choose, plants are not only good for the soil but also the soul!
summerhillgardencentre.co.uk
Get that festive feeling
Parker's Gardening Company, in Frinton, has been family run since 1946 - so the team there definitely know a thing or two about pulling together a timeless Christmas.
And their Taste of Christmas evening is your chance to get inspired.
Running on Thursday, November 14 from 5.30pm until 8.30pm, is Parker's ultimate Christmas shopping experience, covering everything from 2024 Christmas trends and food tasting to gift edits and masterclasses and more.
Enjoy a glass of prosecco or mulled wine when you register, and receive 10 per cent off your Christmas shopping on the evening.
parkersgardencompany.com
