What Are Some Flowers Used to Decorate for Christmas?

Red, green and white flowers are common in Christmas decorations.

Christmas decorations in the home, workspace and public locations are a sure sign that the holiday season is underway. Brilliant shades of red, white and green are synonymous with the season and are reflected in the flowers that are used to decorate almost any environment. Whether it is a room filled with potted flowering plants or blooms integrated into wreaths and garlands, there are certain flowers that predominate during this time of year.

Amaryllis

Amaryllis is a type of lily that is often used in Christmas decorations. The blooms of the amaryllis are large, approximately 8 to 10 inches across, and have a shape similar to a trumpet. Red and white amaryllis blooms give a burst of color when added to Christmas decorations or when arranged in vases to add a festive feel to your indoor holiday decor. In addition to red and white, they are also available in pink, orange and bi-color red and white.

Cyclamens

Cyclamens are a winter-blooming plant that is frequently found in Christmas decorating. Although it comes in a number of different colors, such as violet and pink, it is the red and white cyclamen blooms that are most often a part of holiday decorations. The blossoms, with their dark green leaves with silver markings, reflect the season's colors when used as a decorative accent or a colorful holiday table bouquet.

Christmas Cactus

The Christmas cactus, which is native to Brazil, has colorful tubular flowers. It is a long-lasting plant that blooms yearly in bright colors such as red, white, pink and yellow. They are used for decorating homes, churches and public locations during the holiday season. Christmas cacti are attractive decorations suitable for entranceways and rooms where people gather for the holidays.

Poinsettias

One of the most easily recognizable decorative flowers for Christmas is the poinsettia. Called Cuetlaxochitl by the Aztecs, the poinsettia is a flowering plant with large red, white or pink bracts or leaves. The poinsettia was introduced to the United States by the first United States mbassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett, in 1825. As of 2011, they make up 85 percent of the potted plants sold during the holiday season, according to the University of Illinois Extension Service. Poinsettias are kept in pots and used to decorate rooms and open spaces. The colorful bracts are used on trees, wreaths and garlands and as additions to other types of decorations.

References

• University of Illinois Extension; Homeowner's Column; Beyond Poinsettias: Alternative Holiday Plants; Sandra Mason; December 2004
• University of Illinois Extension: The Poinsettia Pages -- Poinsettia Facts
• "Take That Old Car Out of Your Front Yard and Plant a Garden"; Arlene Wright-Correll; 2007
• University of Illinois Extension; Plant Palette: Christmas Cactus; Jennifer Schultz Nelson; December 2010