WE ALL know about the 12 days of Christmas, but what about the 12 plants for Christmas?

1. Holly. Holly was a symbol of eternal life and fertility and it was believed hanging the plant in homes would bring good luck and protection.

Today, it is symbolic of Christ and the crown of thorns.

2. Ivy. Although it has a reputation for covering gardens with its creeping vines, ivy's rich green leaves are often a key component of floral

wreaths and festive decorations.

3. Rosemary. Rosemary is believed to have been one of the plants in the manger where baby Jesus was cradled.

In the Middle Ages, people believed if they smelled rosemary on Christmas Eve, they would be healthy and happy throughout the new year.

4. Christmas cactus. Despite its name and the fact it flowers over Christmas, it has nothing to do with either the Christmas tradition or the story of Christ’s birth.

They live for a long time and are easy to maintain.

5. Mistletoe. Having long been a symbol of love, peace, and goodwill, the custom of using mistletoe to decorate houses at Christmas is a survival of Druid and other pre-Christian traditions.

6. Poinsettia. Instantly recognisable through its pointed red bracts and rich red and green leaves, pointsettia has become a symbol of the festive season due to Mexican Christian legend.

7. Christmas Rose. The Christmas Rose is revered during the festive season for the deep green foliage and delicate white flowers it brings to cold, dark winters.

It is, in fact, a member of the buttercup family.

8. White chrysanthemum. It symbolises optimism and joy, and it comes as no surprise that it’s now synonymous with ‘the most wonderful time of the year.’

9. Christmas tree. Although the fir has traditionally been used to celebrate winter festivals for thousands of years, it is a relatively modern addition to British Christmas traditions.

Bringing a tree inside and decorating it in the way we know today first happened in 17th-century Germany.

10. Cyclamen. Cyclamen thrives in cooler temperatures, so its bright blooms and beautiful heart-shaped leaves are a great choice if you want to add colour to your home or workplace this Christmas.

11. Frosty Fern. These lovely tiny fern-like plants tinged with white are a table decoration newcomer to the holiday line-up, increasingly available at good grocers and nurseries.

12. Amaryllis. The massive, six-pointed amaryllis bloom makes an impressive festive decoration.

If you want to have a blooming amaryllis for Christmas, plant the bulbs no later than the beginning of November, although it’s always safer, but much more expensive, to buy one already in bloom.

My thanks to outdoors experts from BillyOh.com for the 12 festive suggestions.

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