December Birth Flowers and Their Meaning
December is just around the corner, which means there are plenty of gifts to get for the holidays! For the loved ones in our life who are born in December, the gift-giving piles up, and it can be difficult to think of what to give. Not only are birth flowers extremely meaningful and symbolic, they’re also the perfect hybrid gift for birthdays that also contribute to holiday decorating!
There are two December birth flowers: holly and narcissus. Each of these birth flowers has its own meanings and are either thriving during the month of December or are easy to force to bloom!
December Birth Flower: Holly
The Meanings of Holly
Holly as a birth flower symbolizes a wish for domestic happiness, which is perfect for the holiday season and as a gift for those born in December! Although it has meanings of positive natures, it has been used across cultures and over many centuries as a form of protection from evil spirits, whether sprigs were given as a gift or if a branch was used as a walking stick.
How to Grow Holly Bushes
There are many varieties of holly, such as winterberry and English holly.
Winterberry is hardy and can grow up to 15 feet tall. It has lovely leaves but is mainly grown for its berries, which are beautiful for December decorating and as a birth flower. If you want to plant winterberry, also known as black alder, it will do well in a damp location with good light. While it can grow in partial light, it will produce better berries with full sun.
English holly has the evergreen aesthetic typically used in Christmas decorations, with spiky green leaves and bright red berries. They are naturally deer-resistant, making them an excellent garden bush.
If you want to grow English holly in your yard, bushes should be planted in slightly acidic soil that is well-draining. The best time to plant is in the spring or fall, so they can get established before the cold of December sets in. For ongoing care, fertilize once a year and layer mulch overtop, and regularly prune to prevent leggy branches.
December Birth Flower: Narcissus
The Meanings of Narcissus
The paperwhite is a beautifully scented, lovely white bloom that comes from the Narcissus genus, which daffodils also come from. The paperwhite as a birth flower is believed to mean that you want your loved ones to stay just the way they are, and it also means good wishes and respect.
How to Force Narcissus to Grow in December
Like most bulb flowering plants, paperwhites can be forced to bloom indoors during the winter months. However, paperwhites are one of the easiest to force because they don’t need a cold period as other bulbs do. The cold period mimics a change in weather, which triggers a dormancy stage for the bulb to store nutrients and prepare for the next bloom. With paperwhites, you can simply plant the bulb, and you’ll have flowers in a few weeks!
Paperwhites can bloom for up to two weeks if they are placed in bright indirect light. Plant in mid-to-late November if you want blooms in late December, or four weeks ahead of the birthday for whomever you’re gifting this flower to. Be careful not to overwater, and do not fertilize the soil. We recommend removing spent flowers to help the plant conserve energy and keep the other blooms lasting longer.
December birth flowers have beautiful meanings and make a great gift for loved ones born around the holidays. If you are looking for holly or narcissus flowers for sale, pay us a visit at Mother Nature.