When the long, dark time begins, we humans feel the need to bring some comfort and life into our living space. In winter, the choice of flowering plants is naturally limited, so before there were overcrowded flower shops, people knew how to help themselves in other ways.
Barbara Branches
The Barbara branches are traditionally cut on December 4th. Various branches of fruit trees, such as cherry, apple, plum or pear trees, can be used for this, but also birch, hazel, or elder branches. On Christmas Eve, the branches should then bear blossoms – this is not only magical to look at, but also considered a good sign and said to bring good luck in the coming year. In contrast to the Christmas flowers that are common today, these twigs with their delicate flowers have a special charm. They are natural, not imported from afar, and often there a connection to the tree from which they were cut. I like to think back to summer as I prune, to the many good apples that the tree has borne, and I feel grateful for what it gives us.
Straw Flowers
As already mentioned, there wasn't always such a rich selection of winter flowering plants available as there is today. One thing that I particularly remember are straw flowers. My grandmother planted them in the summer, cut them in the fall and put them in the attic to dry. As a child, her treasure in the attic was very special to me – I often secretly went upstairs and crackled with the blossoms. Some of them probably crumbled, and one shouldn't get caught.
In late autumn, these blossoms adorned the Herrgottswinkel, and at Christmas they could be found in the table arrangement, which my mother and her always made in good time before Christmas Eve. The waste was busily crackled again... until it finally crackled to the end in the oven.
Christmas Rose
In my opinion, the Christmas rose belongs in every garden or bucket, they are an ornament for the entrance or the terrace. It unfolds its splendor despite the cold and snow when all the other bloomers take a break.
Since it is becoming increasingly rare in nature, the winter rose or hellebore, as it is also called, should not simply be "taken" from the forest. When it has flowered in spring, the Christmas rose develops a fruit head from which seeds can be obtained. It thrives well year-round in a semi-shaded location and can live up to 30 years if well maintained.
Hyacinth
There is also something particularly Christmassy about the hyacinth for me, although it is usually sold in the early spring as well. In the old days, women used to put the bulb so that at Christmas the flower would open, and often the windowsills were full of hyacinths, so that the whole room was filled with their fragrance.
Even today, many people remember this tradition, planting the bulbs in November and placing them on a cool window sill - in the hope that they will start to bloom and scent exactly at Christmas.
Amaryllis
Like the hyacinth, the amaryllis bulb needs to be planted in time for it to bloom at Christmas. And it also needs a bright but slightly cooler place in the house. The scent of the amaryllis is also beguiling, and last year I was lucky that my amaryllis bloomed into February.
As a cut flower, you can use it to create beautiful festive table arrangements (don't forget the water depot). The amaryllis has a graceful appearance and brings beautiful colours into the room.
Poinsettia
For many people, the poinsettia is indispensable during the quietest time of the year. It also brings a wonderful dash of colour into the house. Originally from South America, it was imported to the United States in the 19th century. From there it also began its triumphal march to Europe. The poinsettia symbolizes benevolence, love and hope and is therefore an exceptionally beautiful gift.
Fir Branches, Mistletoe, Holly and Yew Tree
My favourite indoor and outdoor decorations are native plants such as fir boughs, mistletoe, holly and yew, although it should be noted that yew and holly are poisonous. Nevertheless, they can be used as decoration at a safe distance from little children and pets.
Yew Tree
The evergreen yew was a sacred tree for the Celts and was associated with eternity. Wands and divining rods were made from their wood. Yews can become very old, in the British Isles there are said to be specimens that are 2,000 years old. The yew is characterized by an extremely good regenerative capacity and an excellent wound healing ability, it can even have root suckers, which other conifers not have. Compared to today, yew wood has been of great importance for bow and spear making since the Neolithic and Bronze Ages until the Middle Ages, due to its hardness and simultaneous elasticity, and the English longbow was also made of yew wood. Yew beams were used as swell beams (sleepers) because they are very weather and moisture resistant. Yew needle decoction was used by the Celts to poison the arrowheads. To a small extent, yew leaves were added to cattle feed to prevent disease.
Holly
Holly is a native and long-established shrub. Its glossy leaves are decorative, and the rich dark green contrasts unobtrusively with the other wintry greens, which I really like. The slow-growing wood of the holly was sparsely available and was once sought after by turners and cabinet makers for valuable inlay work. The hard wood was used to make things like spinning and gear wheels, household items (e.g. spoons), white chess pieces, whip handles and walking sticks. Celts, Germans and Romans admired the evergreen foliage because of its rarity. It stood as a symbol of death, rebirth and fidelity and was considered sacred. In addition, the sacred branches, with or without fruit, should protect people and animals from evil spirits, magic and lightning. For this reason you can still see the branches hanging in the roof gables of buildings in some places.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe fascinates me again and again. Of course, it is a pest for our old fruit trees, and I always look with suspicion at an infested tree. This epithetic plant uses its host for its water and nutrient supply, destroys the cell walls of the infested trees and drives a wedge into the host tissue, which can reach up to half a meter deep into the tree. If you want to stop the infestation, you have to cut the branches 30 to 50 cm into the healthy parts.
But where there is shadow, there is also light: mistletoe has always been regarded as a medicinal plant. Mistletoe tea regulates blood pressure, stimulates the metabolism and the body's own defences. In addition, it has a haemostatic effect, relieves menstrual cramps, has a calming effect, and is said to help against restlessness and ringing in the ears.
Hardly any other native plant has so many legends and myths. Thus, Celtic druids harvested mistletoe for cultic purposes with a golden sickle. These were not allowed to touch the ground and were collected during the harvest with white sheets so that they retain their magical effect. In Germanic mythology, Odin's son Baldur was killed by an arrow made of mistletoe. As a result, the tears of his grieving mother Frigga are said to have penetrated the white berries of the mistletoe, allowing the goddess to retrieve her son from the dead. Therefore, the branches stand for the victory of life over death. Out of joy Frigga kissed everyone who walked under mistletoe and the mistletoe promised her that it would no longer harm anyone but would beautify the love of couples in love – which is still remembered today in some countries at Christmas with a kiss under a mistletoe. Then it is obvious that mistletoe is also a fertility symbol.
Fir Branches
For me, they are the epitome of Christmas and were already used by my grandmother to decorate the cross in the Herrgottswinkel and the images of saints. They are indispensable from Advent wreaths, weather protection for potted plants and beds or from festive decorations in winter. Their smell reminds me of our old parlour with tiled stove and Jogltisch and causes a homely feeling. My duster made of sheepskin is prepared with fir oil during the Christmas cleaning of our old sandblasted wooden ceiling from the 17th century, so that the essential oil can penetrate into the wood and over the holidays even enhances the good fir smell of the Christmas tree.
Speaking of the Christmas tree... there will soon be a detailed new post about it! Especially beautiful flowers are ice flowers, which are now a rarity due to the very well insulated windows. Which winter flowers and plants do you like the most?
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