Berry Christmas to you
Grow your very own festive evergreens then harvest them and decorate your home over the yuletide period, says LOUISE MIDGLEY
Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that lives off the nutrients and moisture of a host tree. Huge orbs of this romantic plant can be seen growing in the lofty heights of tall trees, which are more visible in winter when leaves have fallen. It is possible to grow mistletoe on the lower branches of a tree in your own garden but you will have to wait a few years before it’s ready to pick.
Apple, lime, hawthorn, poplar, rowan and plums are all suitable host trees. Birds spread the seeds in various ways but essentially it’s the sticky seed coating called viscin that adheres them to a branch. Simply squash fresh seeds firmly onto the branches. King of the evergreens, holly is easy to grow in most gardens and can even cope with testing conditions such as shade, wind, pollution and seaside salty air. Most hollies are dioecious, which means they need male and female plants in close proximity to cross pollinate and produce berries. Self-fertile varieties, which produce berries on their own, include the Ilex aquifolium J.C van Tol which is ideal for a small garden.
Several varieties have misleading names – for example, Ilex aquifolium Silver Queen is male and Ilex x altaclerensis Golden King is female, so check before buying. Many of us have native, dark green ivy growing in our gardens, even if it wasn’t invited in. It’s one of the best plants for wildlife as it provides food and shelter for countless species of insects and birds throughout the year. But for decorating garlands and arrangements, varieties with a colourful variegation are perhaps more attractive and, long-term, will brighten up your outdoor space during the bleakest of months.
Try the colourful, two-toned cream and green, Hedera helix Golden Girl or the more diminutive Hedera helix Glacier that has dainty silver-grey mottled leaves edged in cream.