FRAGRANT: How to enjoy the scent of Christmas all season long
YOU can’t beat the scent of a real Christmas tree – it transports you instantly to a wintry world where Father Christmas could be just around the corner with a mince pie. And experts at Wyevale Garden Centres agree there are three types to go for if you’re after a fragrant festive tree. Plus, there are plenty of ways to add scent to your tree, too.
(Abies fraseri)
TIM EVANS, Wyevale’s buying manager for horticulture, explains: “The tree that has the most scent is the Fraser fir, which is a bit citrussy.”
It’s ideal for those with limited space as it’s slim, so you’re less likely to brush past it and knock off decorations in a smaller room, but it also has a great shape and fresh scent, and its dark olive-green needles don’t drop.
It’s likely to be more expensive than the more popular Nordmann, and there won’t be as many available as it’s a more difficult tree to grow commercially.
NORDMANN FIR (Abies nordmanniana)
THE most popular tree, it won’t drop its needles for the duration of the festive season and will give you some scent if you look after it and keep it watered. People love it because of its dense branches, uniform shape and good variety of sizes.
NORWAY SPRUCE (Picea abies)
WHILE some people are reluctant to buy this type of tree because it is notorious for shedding its needles, what it loses in longevity it gains in scent, emitting a pine resin fragrance.
It’s a good tree if you’re putting it up last minute, or at least closer to Christmas, because it won’t last as long as the more expensive non-drop trees.
Once your tree’s in place, there are other ways to add scent to the branches.
CARE FOR YOUR TREE
KEEP your tree away from direct sunlight, draughts and heat from radiators and fireplaces to avoid drying it out and shortening its life. Ideally, try to use LED tree lights which emit less heat and are better for the environment. A well cared for tree should normally remain fresh at least four to five weeks before drying to an unacceptable level.
KEEP THE SCENT FRESH WITH PRUNING AND WATERING
KEEP your Christmas tree fresher for longer by chopping or sawing a few centimetres off the bottom and soaking it in a bucket of water outside, either overnight or for as long as possible, before bringing it inside. For fresh cut trees, a waterretaining stand is absolutely essential. In an average heated home
KNEELING PAD:
a Christmas tree can take in several litres of water a day and this is replaced through the trunk by keeping the water reservoir topped up with fresh water.
Add Christmas tree food to the water, which comes in a sachet.
Scented pine cones, left, or ceramic bells from The White Stuff also make great decorations
USE SCENTED PINE CONES
YOU could either collect some from a local woodland to make your own or buy a pack of fragranced cones such as these by Milford Collection, pictured above, which feature a blend of cinnamon, citrus and festive spices (£8.48, Amazon).
try some fleecy welly socks in your wellies.
Available in all sorts of fun colours, they give you the cosiness of wearing slippers in the great outdoors.
If you want added waterproof protection, find waterproof welly socks – these are perfect for shorter wellies if you need flexibility without the misery of wet toes.
That sinking feeling you get on wet ground at this time of year means a quality kneeler is essential. Buy waterproof, anti-slip knee pads to wear over your trousers or invest in a foam kneeling pad.
Add these clothing essentials to your collection this autumn and you will be gardening all season long, whatever the weather.