Plants called Christmas and Christmas Plants

Plants called Christmas and Christmas Plants – Plews has a weekly blog that is posted on a Saturday and Sunday. This year, 2016, Christmas Eve falls on a Saturday, and Christmas Day naturally enough, follows on the Sunday.

So what else could I write about other than some plants called Christmas?

As we’re often short of time at this point in the holiday season, I’ve added plenty of photos too. Some of these plants called Christmas have had their own blogs already written about them. The links are at the bottom for you to read and learn more about the history and care of some of our traditional Christmas plants.

Rhododendron ‘Christmas cheer’

A medium sized rhododendron, this evergreen shrub does sometimes flower for Christmas. A hardy plant, the dark pink buds open to pale pink flowers even if there’s heavy snow.

Sarcococca Christmas Box

Sarcococca is also known as Christmas Box and Sweet Box, although it isn’t a member of the Box, Buxus family. However, it is a delightful evergreen shrub to have alongside a path, gateway or front door, as the tiny white flowers pack a delicious scent.

Galanthus plicatus ‘three ships’

A rare Snowdrop. Discovered in 1984 in Suffolk and now a classic for Galanthophiles and Christmas lovers alike. (This is a hint to my family, as I don’t have this particular snowdrop…)

Plump buds form in December and often open in time for Christmas day, showing the inner green cross markings on the petals

Hellebore ‘Christmas carol’

I am very fond of Hellebores and Helleborus niger ‘Christmas carol’ is fairly reliable for flowering at Christmas. The evergreen foliage offers a background for the glistening white flowers with golden stamens.

All Christmassy colours and as good as a tree decoration. You’ll need to squat down to enjoy the flowers, so planting it in a raised bed or tall container is an option for those gardeners who are less agile.

Viola oderata ‘Christmas’

This sweet violet is a winner as far as I ‘m concerned. It looks such an innocent little plant – until you get closer and realise where that it was responsible for sending out a sweet aroma as you walked along your garden path.

The pale flowers are highly scented and frequently start flowering in time for the festive season. I grow one plant in a green-blue glazed pot so I can place it near a door and enjoy the scent many times during the day.

Hippeastrum

Hippeastrum, also known as Amaryllis, is one of the traditional Christmas houseplants. With big, blowsy, brightly coloured flowers, it certainly makes a statement.

Christmas Cactus

Schlumbergera is a small genus of cacti with six species found in the coastal mountains of south-eastern Brazil

Plants grow in shade with high humidity unlike most cactus that like arid, desert conditions. give your Christmas Cactus house plant in a spot with indirect light, away from both direct heat and drafts.

Hyacinth

Did you grow your own hyacinths from forced bulbs this year? I admit I ran out of time. If t that happens, there’s nothing wrong with buying some hyacinths in bud. Take home and put them in a warm, light place and their buds will open to fill your house with a rich scent.

Cyclamen

A very useful bulbous perennial. I use cyclamen as winter bedding with spring flowering bulbs planted underneath. Not only does this dissuade squirrels and other garden pests from digging up the bulbs, but it increases the decorative lifespan of your pots and containers without further effort from yourself. What’s not to like?

These are only some of the plants called Christmas and Christmas plants that I could have chosen. I hope that among those you recognise there’s at least one that is new to you. Perhaps you’d like to grow it in your own garden for next Christmas.

There are many people out there having their first Christmas without loved ones, whether from natural causes, terrorist attacks or disasters. To those people especially, regardless of your faith, I hope you find some peace this Christmas-time.

And for those of you who like Christmas – why not download our eBook “Christmas and Yule in Your Garden“?

Or if you’re looking for a Christmas gift with a difference, why not ask about our bespoke Gardening Lessons, where your classroom is actually your own garden? We can help with both gardening basics and more ‘expert tasks’, carry out worm and other experiments and for example, also show you how to plan a wildlife friendly ornamental border.

For further gardening advice and inspiration, check out Plews Potting Shed blogs, including the selection below and our monthly Tipsheet – You could come and find us on Instagram Pinterest and Facebook too.