During the winter months, with limited daylight hours and low temperatures, we tend to be in our gardens less. So what does gardening at the most wonderful time of the year look like?
Retailers will sell around 8 million Poinsettia plants (Euphorbia pulcherrima), which loosely translates as ‘the prettiest Euphorbia’. This south American plant is popular for its crimson-coloured leaves, although there are around 100 varieties, some coloured pink, white and even orange.
You might be surprised to hear that in the wild this plant reaches 15 feet high! The common name refers to Joel Poinsett, a former US Minister to Mexico who introduced it to the states in the 1820’s.
You may be gifted an ‘Amaryllis’ kit, these are hugely rewarding and can scratch horticultural itches, bridging the gap to spring. When looking up care instructions, search ‘Hippeastrums’. Get busy on Boxing Day and pot these up, placing on a bright warm windowsill for an epic late
winter treat.
A well-planned garden will have some winter interest and ‘Christmas Box’ Sarcococca confusa and ‘Christmas Rose’ Helleborus niger can offer some floral relief at an otherwise sparse time, the former sending out searching waves of sweet scent that betray its presence well before you clap eyes on it.
Mistletoe, Viscum album will be in berry, the ‘Viscum’ refers to the sticky substance inside the berry that encourages wiping of beaks on host trees after eating, the Viscin contains the seeds which can also pass through the digestive tract. Once germinated the plant, with no traditional roots of its own, parasitises the host tree, stealing water and minerals, but with its own chlorophyll can still photosynthesise.
Hopefully, I’ve amply prepared you for post-dinner games of Trivial Pursuit with this seasonal horticultural round up. Please do have a great festive season and a prosperous new year.
All the best, Dene.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clumberpark
Image courtesy of Tammy Herd.
