Chinese New Year is being celebrated this year on the 12th February – and farewell to Year of the Rat…what a cow that turned out to be! We welcome the Year of the Ox; characterised by its diligence, dependability and determination - all characters we will need in spades for 2021. Oxes make plans and use their patience and strength to achieve them. If you’re needing some plans for your garden this year, come in and talk to our green team. We’re happy to help you sort out all your gardening needs.
Plants play an important part in Chinese New Year. Anything with red or orange flowers, fruit or foliage is highly valued, being the "lucky colour". Cumquats are particularly auspicious as they can flower and fruit at the same time. We also have some stunning Jade plants (Crassula ovata). Put them potted at the right-hand side of the front door to bring wealth and prosperity…and failing that, the young leaves taste like Granny Smith apples and can be used in salads and they make hardy pot plants and are drought tolerant!Indoors, why not check out some "Chinese Evergreens" or Aglaonema. They are one of the toughest indoor plants available and are good Feng Shui. Lucky Bamboo (Dracenasanderana) or Lucky Plant, as it is also known, is grown for attracting joy, breaking hexes and encouraging good health.
Each Lunar New Year traditionally houses are cleaned, paths swept and old ideas and bad thoughts are swept aside to make room for all the positive energy a New Year can herald. And don’t forget the red envelopes with gold or red notes inside for the kids – it’s a way of transferring your good fortune from one generation to the other, literally and figuratively.
Gung Hay Fat Choy!
By: Meredith Kirton