Your Garden In December

Christmas Trees

This is a great time of year to make sure you make the most of any plants you can enjoy in your house, as well as those outside. Where better to start than with a real Christmas tree? I’m still a great fan of the classic old-style tree, Norway spruce and the wonderful totally Christmassy aroma of the needles. I find that provided you don’t bring the tree in too much in advance of the day, and as long as you keep the fresh-cut trunk in water and don’t place the tree close to a direct heat source, it really performs well. But, if you want to guarantee no needle drop, there is a wide range of trees readily available including Blue spruce, Nordmann fir and Fraser fir (see nationalgardengiftvoucher.co.uk/christmascare-guides for more advice). The most important thing is, buy any real tree and you’ll enjoy something really special.

Houseplants

So that’s the tree sorted, but do leave space for some of the lovely houseplants available at this time of year, some with a distinctly seasonal feel. There are plenty to choose from including exotic orchids, indoor azaleas, the striking Hippeastrum (Amaryllis), Christmas cacti, Winter cherry with bright orange shiny bauble-like fruits, tender Cyclamen or perhaps some ready-potted bulbs such as paperwhites or hyacinths

All these and the others you’ll see on display in your local garden centre or nursery, including the Christmas classic Poinsettia, make wonderful additions to our interior décor... they also make gorgeous gifts and help to bring season colour and cheer. The only thing you should bear in mind is to try to choose a Christmas houseplant best suited to the conditions in the room it will be displayed in– for example, a warmer room (but not too dry) an azalea, poinsettia or orchid is great, and for a cooler room, a Cyclamen is perfect.

Plants make great gifts (for friends, family AND for yourself!) so go on, take a look at what’s available, the temptation will be too great to resist! For more info on how to look after your poinsettia see: nationalgardengiftvoucher.co.uk/christmas-care-guides 

Content By:

Pippa Greenwood