Traditional Christmas Flowers

Poinsettias are popular traditional Christmas flowers.

Traditional Christmas flowers feature the colors of the season and add a festive touch to any home. Christmas flowers are easy to find and most are easy to care for as well.

Types

Traditional Christmas flowers can be actual living flowers or faux flowers that can be used year after year. Choose living plants if you like the look and fragrance of "real" floral accents and don't have pets or small children. You may prefer artificial Christmas flowers if you want to reuse your decorations each year or if you have pets or curious toddlers -- many Christmas flowers are poisonous and can be a safety hazard.

Varieties

Traditional Christmas flowers include poinsettias, amaryllis, paper whites and rosemary. Look for red, white and pink varieties of poinsettia and amaryllis to liven up a Christmas display. Paper whites are white as the name suggests, but different-sized varieties are available.

Care

Poinsettias can be purchased in full bloom, while amaryllis and paper whites are often sold in bulb or kit form and need to be grown at home. Once bloomed, water your Christmas flowers twice a week to keep them looking their best. Rosemary is generally sold in "tree" form, and can be planted in the garden after Christmas if desired.

References

• "Christmas With Southern Living 2005"; Rebecca Brennan; 2005
• "The American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers", Christopher Brickell, Trevor Cole, and H. Marc Cathey; 2002
• "Mary Engelbreit's Outdoor Companion"; Mary Engelbreit; 1996