Christmas floral celebration: More than just festive decorations

CHRISTMAS flowers can be the symbol of hope, joy and renewal – if we could choose the right ones.

It is a season to be filled with colours, fragrance and living emblems of the festive season.

From the bright red poinsettia to the delicate Christmas rose, these blooms bring life to homes, churches and celebratory venues around the world.

My church has started decoration this week to make the occasion a memorable one for all, especially the children who always love to see the displays.

The shopping malls have also put up their massive artificial floral displays – those in Kuching can see them at The Spring and CityOne Megamall.

It’s true that in different countries, there are different Christmas flowers, but the theme is the same – to make the festive atmosphere more vibrant.

Poinsettia

The vivid red bracts and deep green foliage really signify the holiday season.

The botanical name is Euphorbia pulcherrima.

Originating from Central America, it is traditionally known as the ‘Flower of the Holy Night’.

It was introduced to the USA by Joei Poinsett, from whom it got the English name.

Today, poinsettia decorates homes, churches and many public places to brighten up Christmas celebrations.

The red bracts hold symbolism in Christianity, representing the ‘Star of Bethlehem’, while the white sap signifies purity, as well as spirit of giving and generosity.

I first came across this flower in New Zealand, where it had long been popular.

The display at a floral nursery there was amazing, and it could last as long as given water and placed indoors.

I later learned that the plant could withstand winter, where there are longer nights and less sunlight.

I tried growing it in Sarawak, but it failed to flower. I even tried imitating the longer-night environment by covering it in darkness for a week.

It did show some new shoots with red blooms, but it was not impressive enough.

In temperate-weather countries like China, it is used for decoration indoors.

It is estimated that there are over 100 varieties – in red, white and pink hues, or with specks, or marbled pattern – the result of years of breeding between the compact types and those longer-lasting bracts.

Over 70 million plants are sold annually, coming from the major hybrid producers like Germany, USA and Japan.

The poinsettia requires bright, but indirect, sunlight, with moist medium at an ideal temperature from 8°C to 22°C. To rebloom the plant, it takes photoperiodism – 14 hours of darkness for six weeks to trigger bract colouration.

Christmas rose

Helleborus niger is actually from the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae), and is not a true rose.

The petals are actually sepals that grow in clumps.

The leaves are dark, leathery and deeply lobed.

The flowers are large, bowl- or saucer-shaped; they are white, or with a pink blush.

Native to the mountainous regions in central and southern Europe, the plant prefers woodland clearings or rocky slopes with humus-rich soil, ranging in pH levels from neutral to slightly alkaline.

That explained, the entire plant is toxic, even when handled with care.

The Christmas rose prefers partial light, and can be propagated by seeds or by division.

An old legend has it that a poor girl had no gift to give to the newborn Christ, and started crying.

From the place where her tears fell, a white flower emerged.

As far as symbolism is concerned, the Christmas Rose is associated with hope, purity and resilience because it blooms in cold and snowy conditions.

It also symbolises protection; it’s a practice in many places to plant it near the entrance sites to guard against evil.

Christmas orchids

The genera Cattleya, Dendrobium and Phalaenopsis are known for their beauty and longevity on displays.

Colours are important choice when used as decoration: white for churches and hotels, symbolising peace and purity; red for festive warmth; green signifies ‘eternal life’.

Red Ginger

The Alpinia purpurata is truly a Christmas flower for brilliant red torch-like bracts.

It symbolises strength, celebration and festivities. The flowers are normally paired with ferns and pines to create the tropical Christmas arrangements.

Anthurium

The heart-shaped bracts of the ‘flamingo’ flower resemble poinsettias and although the red type is widely available, there are also pink, white and even green varieties.

It is regarded as a symbol of hospitality.

Red ixora and hibiscus

As clusters, the red ixora is just beautiful. The red hibiscus, our national flower, exudes beauty and celebration.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Gardening!