There has been a lot of talk about the garden being ‘a part of the house’ or ‘another room’. At this time of year the roles are reversed as we welcome greenery into our homes as part of our festive celebrations.
There are Christmas trees of pine or fir, Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe. Often other winter evergreens are added: laurels with their smooth glossy leaves, or Rosemary added to Christmas garlands for scent. Christmas trees are the most obvious festive evergreen we take into our homes; but do you stop to ask yourself why?
Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria, started the popularity of Christmas trees in Britain in the mid nineteenth century. He brought the tradition over from his native Germany.
Winter Evergreens – Christmas Tree Legends
It seems that the custom of decorated fir trees in Germany was begun in the seventh century by the English monk Boniface (later Saint Boniface). Legend has it that during the Winter Solstice, he came upon some pagans who were about to sacrifice a child at an Oak tree. That magnificent tree so beloved of the Druids was chopped down in one fell swoop of his fist. (Sounds a bit like our Nathan, who’s well known for lifting tree stumps with his little finger). And lo, at the roots was growing a small fir tree! So Boniface had the fir tree become the symbol for Christmas.
Another legend is that the fir tree became the acceptable evergreen for Christmas decorations thanks to Martin Luther. (The founder of the Protestant faith in Germany in the late fifteenth century). He was walking through the forest at Christmas time and was amazed by the beauty of the stars shining through the evergreen branches of the fir trees. It reminded him of the Star of Bethlehem and so he cut down a tree, took it home and decorated it with candles so his family could share the delightful sight.
Just to prove that Plews is a partnership, Nathan has added a further Christmas tree legend to this blog written by Marie. The first Christmas tree was probably put up and decorated in Latvia or Estonia in 1510 by the gild known as the Brotherhood of Blackheads or Schwarzhäupterhaus. Documentation also suggests that it was taken out into the market square and burnt as part of the celebrations. Which brings us back to the pagan rather than Christian winter festivals where fires are lit to encourage the sun to return.
Winter Evergreens – Holly and Ivy
Holly and ivy appear in many Christmas carols and songs and come a close second to the Christmas tree in popularity when it comes to decorating our homes with winter evergreens at Yule time.
Holly (European Holly, Ilex Europea) or “ouch” as it is known at Plews due to the fact that the leaves stay sharp even when dry, is a favourite with its shiny spiky leaves and bright red berries. A small sprig tops off a Christmas pudding, the berries mirroring the red of the cherries in the pudding itself. A welcome addition to garlands Holly is probably best used where you won’t accidentally walk into it…
Ivy (Hedera helix) is another berry-laden evergreen; its rich black fruits are a delicacy for your garden birds but if you bring them indoors put them out of reach of any inquisitive toddlers. The berries are toxic and can cause stomach upsets.
Both Holly and Ivy developed their spiky and poisonous leaves as a defensive measure, to prevent animals from eating them. Which is why, if you were to cut branches from higher up a holly tree, you would see that the leaves have serrated but not prickly edges. Clever little winter evergreens! As for the birds eating the berries, you may ask they’re not poisoned. This is because birds’ digestive systems allow them to safely pass through.
and finally…
As this is the last Plews blog of 2012, we’d like to wish you all a Happy New Year from all of the Plews Team
Do you have Christmas money to spend, but don’t fancy hitting the sales in the shops? We’d like to remind you about Gardening Gift Vouchers as Christmas presents from Plews
For more tales of Christmas trees and mistletoe, planting ideas for your winter garden, and a gallery of photographs and original sketches, why not add our eBooks “Christmas and Yule in Your Garden” and “In Your Winter Garden with Plews Garden Design” to your Christmas present purchases?
