Don’t ditch the Christmas tree, grow it outdoors for next year
DISCARDING a Christmas tree once the festivities are over always feels wrong and wasteful – so HANNAH
STEPHENSON looks at container-grown trees to enjoy year after year
Many garden centres offer container-grown versions of the popular Nordmann firs, along with blue spruce, pine and other varieties.
A potted tree with roots lets you grow it outside and use it again, reducing its environmental impact and costing you less. A living tree will also carry on absorbing carbon from the atmosphere for years.
The trees should be watered and cared for as for any houseplant – so kept moist and away from radiators.
After use they can be planted out or re-potted into a larger pot – the size of the tree will be restricted by the size of the container
Trees on offer include:
BLUE SPRUCE: Widely available from good garden centres, the distinctive silvery-blue foliage makes it a stylish choice either on the doorstep or indoors for the festive season.
NORDMANN FIR: This an also be bought as a potted plant with excellent needle retention, a symmetrical appearance and strong, bushy branches and is ideal for those who want to put their trees up early.
NORFOLK ISLAND PINE: The Norfolk Island pine looks like a mini Christmas tree and can be decorated accordingly. It can flourish either outside or inside throughout the summer, but it’s not frost-hardy so will need taking in during the cooler seasons and treated as a houseplant.
NON-TRADITIONAL OPTIONS
FRIENDS of the Earth suggests some other plants you could use instead of traditional trees which can be planted out or remain in their pots outside after Christmas.
HOLLY: Thought by some to be the original Christmas tree, holly is evergreen so will be colourful even in December. Be careful of the spiky leaves though – if you’re worried about children or pets you could take cuttings for decorations instead of moving the whole tree indoors.
BAY TREE: If you’re creative, these evergreen shrubs can be clipped into stunning formal shapes and look fabulous framing front doors. You can also use the leaves in cooking.
YUCCA: You may already have a yucca indoors and if you do, why not decorate it for Christmas? Large indoor plants like yucca trees look great with Christmas decorations on them.