Decorating the house, yard, and Christmas tree is a big part of holiday fun. Some years the decorating is big and bold, other years it is traditional and understated, and still others you may skip it all together for various reasons like travel, illness, or time constraints. But one easy way to decorate is to use plants that bloom (or can be forced to bloom) in December. Here are a few favorites to consider.
The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) comes in shades from white, to red, to everything in between. The bracts form a large star around the minute flower parts. You can typically purchase them from any hardware store, grocery store, or large store like Costco. The species is indigenous to Mexico.
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| Poinsettia in a variety of shades |
Paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus) are fragrant as well as beautiful and easy to grow. You can plant them in potting soil, or in a vase with marbles or pebbles. They do tend to flop over as they gain height, so plant in a tall container for support, or use a grid of clear floral tape to keep them upright. The species is native to southern Europe and North Africa, and throughout the Mediterranean.
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| Paperwhites on the window sill |
Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera truncata) is an easy-to-grow succulent with blossoms in shades from red to pink. Read the instructions to find out when the species that you picked blooms (mine bloomed in December the first year, and then in February the second). The species originated in Brazil.
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| Christmas cactus in bloom |
Amaryllis (Hippeastrum spp.) comes in many shades of red, white, or even variegated combinations. Read the instructions for the bulb you purchased to find out how to force the bloom in December. Plant several in sequence for an ongoing show. Purchase special amaryllis flower stakes to keep the long stems and bodacious blooms upright. The genus is native to tropical and subtropical Americas, from Argentina to Mexico and the Caribbean.
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| Amaryllis in full bloom |
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