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Alongside the traditions of overeating, drinking and falling asleep in the afternoon sun, Christmas is also a time with strong plant associations. We bring trees into the house and dress them up, we take flame red exotics as gifts for friends and family and we adorn furniture and fittings with evergreens. Finally, we take pleasure in grabbing a quick kiss under a weird parasitic plant!

The most obviously recognisable feature of Christmas is the tree. There are a few theories as to where the tradition originates from, but the best regarded is thought to come from Germany. An evergreen tree was collected from the forest, probably a spruce or fir. This was brought into the home to protect it and to return life to the forest once the snows thawed. There is a report of Martin Luther, the renowned Christian reformer from Germany in the 16^th century. He was said to be so taken by the beauty of the evergreen trees, he cut a few branches on Christmas Eve and placed candles on them. The widespread use of decorated trees emerged in the Victorian era. Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert brought the tradition from Germany. Victorian society wanting to keep up with the court, copied the tradition, which has led to the world-wide familiarity of the decorated Christmas tree.

Poinsettia is a flamboyant and beautiful shrub, native to Mexico. It has become a very popular gift at Christmas, brightening homes around the world with its flame red bracts (leaves), like the colour of Santa’s coat. Mexican lore relates that a poor young girl wanted to take a beautiful gift to offer to the Virgin Mary for a Christmas eve service but couldn’t fulfil this need. An angel appeared to her and suggested that she pick some of the wayside weeds. Doubtful this would be worthy as a gift, she did as was asked and as she entered the chapel, the weeds turned into stunning blooms of brilliant red Poinsettia, and her sorrow turned to joy.

Mistletoe has been gathered and used as a good luck for a long-time and kissing beneath it is thought to bring luck to the couple under it. The plant itself is parasitic, meaning that it grows on and feeds off other plants. In this case, they are mainly fruit trees, often growing in a cavity of the tree.

In Australia we have hundreds of varieties of mistletoes, so you’re bound to find some, but there a few other plants that have acquired a Christmas association for us Aussies even more strongly. There’s the NSW Christmas Bush, with small clusters of pale red flowers and Christmas Bells to name a few.

Next time you’re in a branch of GRO, why not pick up a poinsettia as a gift for a friend or bring the family to choose your Christmas tree.

By: Meredith Kirton

Have you started Kris Kringle at work yet?  We have a range of gifts that make the perfect pressie in every price range.  Here are a few ideas for your colleague, classmates or family.

Living in your own little world?  Don’t worry, so are terrariums.  They are great as office gifts as the air-conditioning doesn’t affect them and they are fairly self-contained, able to last even when you go on holidays... unlike the goldfish!  We can custom make you up a terrarium or you can rush in and run out with a premade “ready to grow” number

Grafted Cactus: Read into what you will… they can pass as Rudolf’s Nose, red baubles or a perhaps the perfect gift for the office PR#*K?

Fortune Seeker Lucky Bamboo may be just the answer!  It’s a type of Dracenathat grows just about anywhere -  maybe that's why they are lucky?  Also known as Happy Plants, they will out a smile on even the crankiest office Grinch.

Ambitious co-worker? “Dog eat dog” or in this case, “plant eat bug” with carnivorous Plants.  You can’t go past Venus Fly Traps, Pitcher Plants and sundews.  They not only look fabulous but they also eat flies, mosquitoes and other bugs, making them the perfect present for any curious creature.

By: Meredith Kirton

Nasturtiums are the ideal plant for children.  Who hasn’t been charmed by dew drops on their sound leaves that look like quicksilver?  Of their bright and cheerful flowers in orange, yellow and red that are produced all summer, autumn and even into winter.

They are fast growing, quick to flower and entirely edible.  Their peppery tasting leaves are great on buttered bread with tomato as sandwiches, or tossed into a salad.  Their flowers are perfect to add colour to salads too, and even their flower buds can be pickled and used as substitutes for capers.

Nasturtiums like a sunny position, grow easily from seed, and do well in practically any soil – as long as it’s free draining.  You can grow them in pots, baskets or ‘free range’ in the garden.

Does your dad deserve a well-earned rest for Father’s Day? Or is he working his next gardening project? We have some great specials in store for every type of dad.

20% off Books - we stock a great selection of books for every green thumb, with tones on indoor plants, garden design, interiors and indoor plants and even bee keeping.

25% off Gardening Tools - we have great gloves and tools that will get the gardening job done quickly.

Plant and basket or pot combos - Why not spruce up dad’s desk? Pick up your dad's favourite plant and pot combo for his desk to create an atmosphere of calm and inspiration.

VegePod bundle offers - September is a perfect time to create a vegetable garden. Get your dad a Vegepod, which is perfect for creating your own raised kitchen garden.

Does your dad deserve a well-earned rest for Father’s Day?  What about giving dad a present that encourages him to unwind?

These are our top 5 picks.

1. A book – we stock a great range of books for every taste, with tomes on indoor plants, garden design, interiors and indoor plants and even bee keeping.
2. Bird feeders and birdbaths. Watching some feathered friends come into your garden can be a great time waster, and distress you at the same time. We stock some saucers that are perfect for using as bird baths and some great feeders that are made from recycled plastic…and a wonderful range of flowering natives that encourage a menagerie of birds into your garden.
3. Some gardening time. A few hours of your time weeding and mulching could be the perfect present for your dad. We have great gloves and tools that will get the job done quickly.
4. Some furniture. We carry a range of indoor and outdoor furniture perfect for your courtyard or balcony, so dad has a great spot outside to read a book or take a nap.
5. A Walk in the Park. Perhaps a trip to our wonderful display garden to stroll around – all fully accessible – could be just the ticket.  There is plenty of space for distancing, little ones can play in the playground and the gardens always have something to discover. 

By: Meredith Kirton