I thought that since this, is the last Garden Chat before Christmas, it would be a great time to talk about 2 of the most popular plant traditions of the season; Christmas trees & Poinsettias. Although I was never a history buff (always my worst marks in school) I thought these tidbits were interesting enough to share with you.

The beautiful red “blooms” of the poinsettia are not the actual flower of the plant, but rather “bracts” which are a specialized leaf that surrounds the tiny flowers, meant to attract pollinators. The plant originated as a rather weedy plant, native to Mexico, and was brought to America by Joel Poinsett. (Hence the name)

The plant's association with Christmas began in 16th century Mexico, where legend tells of a young girl who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus' birthday. The tale goes that the child was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them in front of the church altar. Crimson "blossoms" sprouted from the weeds and became beautiful poinsettias. The star shaped bracts later came to represent the Christmas star and the poinsettia tradition continues today, second in popularity only to the Christmas tree.

The origin of the Christmas tree is not quite as cut and dried, and seems to have had influence from many cultures before it arrived as the single most popular symbol of the season it is today. Rumor has it that it originated as a symbol of a winter solstice celebration, on Dec 21^st, many centuries before the religious celebrations of Christmas began.

This is day the Sun begins its ascent in the sky, marking the start of a fertile time of planting and bountiful harvests. Hence, the evergreen tree represented eternal life and the promise of replenishment during the cold winter solstice. Apples and other fruit were hung upon the tree to represent the plentiful food to come. Candles were lit to symbolize the warmth and brightness of the sun. On January 1st, the decorated Christmas tree came down and was burned as the "Yule" log, in remembrance & celebration of the past year, & the goals that have been completed. A setting of goals for the year to come followed, the burning of the Yule log and many of us still practice our own version of the custom of New Years resolutions.

So with all that said, Merry Christmas to all, and Happy setting of your gardening goals!