Christmas shopping has commenced with lively enthusiasm, marking the approach of the most beautiful time of the year! As we begin to deck our homes with Christmas decorations, adorning rooms, hallways and mantelpieces with twinkling fairy lights, shiny baubles and shimmery tinsels, we can’t help but wonder how we can make this year’s special holiday stand out from the rest. Busting out annual Christmas ornaments is time-honored, albeit ritualistic. Now, what more can we add to enhance the festive spirit?
If there’s anything to gripe about during the Yuletide season, it’s the absence of vivid blooms, conventionally buried in cold and occasionally long winter months before the arrival of spring and summer. However, Christmastime comes with its own beautiful array of flora and foliage that can warm up an entire room with their own holly, jolly allure. Join us as we delve into a dozen classic Christmas flowers and plants, each poised to infuse your home with a festive and magical ambiance. Who knows, they might just become the stars of your very own enchanting advent calendar!
1. Mistletoe (Viscum Album)
Mistletoes have become the very emblem of Christmas romance since the spread of the ancient Greek tradition calling for couples to share a kiss under the parasitic shrub. Featuring evergreen leaves, petite white flowers, and waxy clusters of white berries, mistletoes are actually representative of love, fertility and vitality. Beware, though, while mistletoes are often hung up in homes, they are toxic and can be dangerous when ingested.
2. Poinsettia (Euphorbia Pulcherrima)
The poinsettia is easily distinguished by its vibrant red hue and expansive bloom, but don’t mistake this Christmas icon as a flower! Originating from the subtropical area of western Mexico, the poinsettia prefers a bit of sun rather than shade and emerges in bursts of red and green, with its pointed red leaves arranged in a star-shaped formation. This has earned the favored houseplant the moniker of the ‘Christmas Star’. Incidentally, poinsettias weave an interesting historical narrative that involves a
little Mexican girl unable to afford a gift. Instead, on Christmas Eve, she presented the humble shrub to the newborn Jesus, adding a touch of heartwarming symbolism to this festive plant.
3. Holly (Ilex)
Hollies live up to their cheerful name by retaining their green foliage even in the coldest months. Their remarkable hardiness has made them a staple for wreaths, evocative of good luck and life. Beyond their festive appearance, hollies are also steeped in
Christian history; their sharp leaves are associated with Christ’s renowned crown of thorns, and their berries with his blood.
4. Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)
Amaryllises, a species of bulbous plants, are a rare thing in the world of flowers. Blossoming between late fall and mid-summer, these bright and exuberant plants are one of the top picks for Christmas because they thrive indoors as well as outdoors. With tall and marvelous stalks, amaryllises look great in an assortment of vases, making for a lovely table centerpiece. Popular colors include pink, red, white, and other bicolored permutations.
5. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus)
Eucalyptus is an underappreciated plant for the holiday season. Due to its aromatic and vine-like qualities, this evergreen shrub has the potential to be a wonderful addition to your home’s joyful and cozy atmosphere. Nevertheless, eucalyptus often makes its way into lush Christmas wreaths. Braided and studded with the likes of pine cones and berries, these trailing locks also lend a natural beauty to banisters, dinner tables, and shelves.
6. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera X Buckleyi)
How about potting up a succulent for a change? The Christmas cactus readily endures drops in temperatures and blooms at the peak of Yuletide with vivaciously pink petals. Alongside its tubular flowers are flattened stems, also known as cladodes, which stay green and fleshy in shady and humid conditions.
7. Juniper Berries (Juniperus)
Juniper berries exhibit a deep purple-blue hue with a subtly grainy texture. Unlike other varieties of Christmas flowers and plants, these berries bring an inviting wintertime charm to the traditional combination of reds and greens associated with the season. Surrounding the berries are short and stiff needles that are said to have concealed the Holy Family from Herod’s soldiers as they escaped to Egypt, according to an
ancient biblical tale.
8. Paperwhite Narcissus (Narcissus Papyraceus)
Paperwhite narcissuses bear a striking resemblance to daffodils, as both belong to the Narcissus genus. Of Mediterranean origin, these delicate white flowers derive their name from their thin and paper-like texture. The Wintersun variety, a captivating two-toned type of Paperwhite, showcases pristine snowy petals encircling a vibrant yellow center, creating a stunning contrast that adds a touch of elegance to its ensemble. Conveniently, paperwhites can bloom indoors when planted in a sunny spot, such as next to a window.
9. ‘Yuletide’ Camellia (Camellia Sasanqua 'Yuletide')
The ‘Yuletide’ Camellia got its name from its blooming period, which happens to be during the Yuletide season. Besides its well-timed fluorescence, this species of Camellia displays the quintessential Christmas palette. In dense bushes of verdant green leaves, and single blooms sporting bold red tones, the ‘Yuletide’ Camellia is certainly an arresting sight amid the crystalline whiteness of winter.
10. Cyclamen (Cyclamen Persicum)
Cyclamen are perennial flowers that return annually in the unexpected seasons of autumn and winter. Offering a brilliant pop of color, these unique winter-bloomers are built distinctively, with butterfly-like blossoms and endearing heart-shaped leaves. In line with their lovable attributes, cyclamen symbolize tenderness and devotion. Consider gifting a pot of joyful cyclamen to someone dear, as these resilient flowers not only introduce seasonal and sensational beauty but also convey much affection and admiration.
11. Christmas Rose (Helleborus Niger)
Hailing from the limestone regions of Europe, Christmas roses are in fact a member of the buttercup family and an evergreen perennial plant. Producing huge white flowers, Christmas roses are undoubtedly pretty, though poisonous. Despite their toxic nature, their bewitching appearance makes them a delightful accompaniment to both winter gardens and Christmas decor. Keep them in moist, aerated soil and full shade for the biggest of blooms!
12. Christmas Trees
What better universal indicator of Christmastime than a majestic Christmas tree? Whether miniature, potted, standard, or giant, Christmas trees have been a tradition since time immemorial, imbued with rich historical and cultural meaning. While some attribute the use of these evergreen trees to the
birth of Christ, others allude to them signifying the
recovery of Ra, among other beliefs. Regardless, the desire to erect an extravagant pine, spruce, or fir tree warmly accessorized by oneself or loved ones transcends geographical and generational boundaries. Inciting a sense of joy and togetherness, this grand tree is a cherished symbol that unites people around the world in true Christmas spirit.
Turn Your Home into a Floral Wonderland this Christmas
With the Christmas holiday fast approaching, many of us are scrambling to get our preparations and decorations in check before the celebration. Opening up sealed boxes of ornaments, lights, wreaths, tree-toppers, and stockings is absolute – but spicing up your festive displays with the addition of dazzling Christmas plants and flowers might be the enchanting touch that transforms your home into a truly magical wonderland.
At Dawn Q, we have an exquisite selection of breathtaking Christmas holiday greenery that is bound to shower your home with seasonal charm. From frost-kissed wreaths, elfin preserved Christmas trees, stylish flora baskets to dashing boxes of wintertime blossoms, we have your bases covered when it comes to idyllic floral arrangements. Don’t wait and start gracing your humble abode with our mesmerizing pieces today.
