The tradition of bringing evergreens into the home during winter’s darkest days dates back centuries and was originally associated with ancient solstice celebrations. Our ancestors believed evergreen plants represented immortality; enduring colour when all around is lifeless.
These days, evergreens are associated with Christmas though I like to regard it as a bit of paganism prevailing in our household. The most obvious manifestation of this tradition is the Christmas tree.
The Lutherans are said to have been the first to couple Christmas with an evergreen tree in the 16th century, though in some cultures celebrating the ‘tree of paradise’ on the feast of Adam and Eve – December 24 – dates from the Middle Ages. Before this, the Romans used fir trees to decorate their temples at the festival of Saturnalia, which is week-long celebration straddling the winter solstice.
The fashion for trees is thought to have taken off in Britain in the mid-19th century when a drawing of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert at Windsor Castle, alongside their children and an unidentified tree, was published in the Illustrated London News.
And so by virtue of gaining a Royal Warrant of Appointment, the Christmas tree became ubiquitous in homes across Europe and North America. The most popular types of real trees these days are the Norway spruce (Picea abies), Noble fir (Abies procera) and the Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana).
The custom of hanging mistletoe – strictly speaking a hemiparasite rather than a full parasite – also dates from Ancient Rome, with its association with Christmas and kissing later popularised by the Victorians.
Found in just a handful of locations in Ireland, you’re more likely to come across it the farther south you go. Mistletoe extracts nutrients and moisture from a host tree but has its own leaves for photosynthesis. It bears clusters of small white flowers followed by white berries from winter to spring. Ultimately, it creates a spherical woody mesh in higher branches and while rarely killing the host tree can impact on its general health.
The prickly leaves of the native holly – Ilex aquifolium – mean it is deployed occasionally in a hedge to deter both man and beast. It’s a slow-growing tree, whose leaves get less prickly the higher you go, with the most spiney foliage that which can be reached by grazing animals.
Hollies are either male or female, with only the latter producing the prized red berries, while there are spine-free varieties are easier to work with when used decoratively.
Ivy is more common than holly and often the places where the native species (Hedera Hibernica) flourishes are neglected – meaning it’s often classed as a weed.
It is not, as many people at first assume, a parasite and doesn’t draw strength from the host tree. It can, however, overwhelm the crown of tree, which over time will kill it. It can also be a nuisance when it attaches itself to stone or brick work.
Ivy will grow in any soil and thrives in shade, although the variegated types need more sun and tend not to be as vigorous.
Good additions to the garden include Hedera helix ‘Goldheart’ with dark green leaves that have a butter yellow centre. It is slow to establish but then grows rapidly, though is unsuitable as for ground cover.
Hedera ‘Dentata’, more commonly known as Elephant’s ears, is a vigorous plant that is suitable or growing against a wall or as ground cover.
