Seasonal Flower Guide: December
December is the month when we want to celebrate those we love, bring colour and festive cheer into our homes and what better way to do that than with flowers? However, in the UK, as the temperature plummets and the ground hardens with frost, it can be a struggle to even imagine a flower blooming. So what flowers are available to us at Christmas that haven’t been shipped from sunny climes halfway across the world? This seasonal guide to what flowers are in season in the UK around Christmas can be used to help you make a more eco-conscious choice this gifting season.
Believe it or not, there are in fact several flower species that bloom in winter or can be found fresh at this time of year:
Amaryllis
Amaryllis bulbs are ‘forced’ to bloom indoors during winter. They produce large, striking flowers in various shades of red, white, pink, and orange. They are good long lasting flowers as well if properly cared for.
Holly
While not technically a flower, the bright red berries of the holly tree can bring a welcome pop of colourful cheer into a wreath or arrangement.
Cyclamen
Cyclamen plants are known for their delicate, upswept flowers and are available in a variety of colors, including pink, red, and white. They are good, hardy plants and can be brought inside to adorn the Christmas table.
Paperwhites (Narcissus)
These daffodil-like flowers are often forced to bloom indoors in winter. They have fragrant white blooms that will fill a room with the heady scent of Spring to come.
Camellias
Certain varieties of camellias bloom in winter, offering beautiful, rose-like flowers in shades of red, pink, and white.
Winter Jasmine
Winter jasmine is a hardy plant that blooms in winter with bright yellow flowers, providing color in the colder months.
Hellebores (Christmas Rose)
Hellebores, often referred to as the Christmas Rose, can bloom from late winter into early spring. They have delicate, cup-shaped flowers in colors ranging from white to deep, dark purple.
Snowdrops
If brought indoors, snowdrops can begin to bloom as early as December, offering delicate white flowers bobbing atop slender green stems. Beautiful arranged in rustic containers across a dinner table with accents of birch twigs and larch cones.
Ivy
Ivy is often used in winter decorations and floral arrangements, especially during the holiday season. It provides lush, green foliage and can also produce deep black berries which contrast gorgeously against the reds and greens of a traditional christmas scheme.
Of course, the traditional staples of evergreen spruce, pine and larch cones, dried fruits and other dried flowers can be used to add interest and texture to arrangements.
Despite the bitter British winters, it is still possible to find seasonal blooms even in the depths of December. So this Christmas, reconsider the imported red roses and lilies, and look to the flowers that thrive in our changeable climate.