Red, green and white are among the most popular colours associated with Christmas. This iconic combination is often linked to the English holly (Ilex aquifolium), with its evergreen leaves and bright red berries. Amid the European snow, holly symbolised hope during the depths of winter and was central to ancient solstice celebrations long before Christmas as we know it was celebrated.

In Australia, however, holly berries ripen between May and August, making the plant less suited to our December celebrations – unless you’re hosting Christmas in July. Despite the abundance of plastic replicas, holly isn’t a practical choice for an Aussie Christmas.

A plant that has been successfully adapted for our summer season is the poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima). Native to Mexico, poinsettias naturally change colour in response to shorter winter days. Australian growers use light and temperature control to coax them into colour for December. If you replant your poinsettia in the garden, expect it to return to its natural winter-flowering cycle.

Poinsettia

For a festive splash of red from closer to home, the Metrosideros species – commonly known as the New Zealand Christmas Bush – offers a vibrant, seasonally timed alternative. With evergreen foliage and fluffy red flowers that appear in early summer, these plants range from large trees such as M. excelsa to compact forms including ‘Little Bridget’ (1 m x 1 m), ‘Mini Christmas’ (2 m x 1 m) and ‘Firecracker’ (4 m x 2 m). These smaller cultivars make excellent hedges or container plants.

Metrosideros or New Zealand Christmas Bush

Our most local and beloved Christmas plant is the NSW Christmas Bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum) that grows naturally from Ulladulla to Evans Head. Like the poinsettia, its showy red colouring comes not from the flowers but from the enlarged calyx lobes that flush after flowering. This species has been a festive favourite since colonial times and was used in much the same way as holly in European traditions. Its bright red bunches make striking, long-lasting cut flowers. Cultivars such as ‘Albury’s Red’ and ‘Johana’s Christmas’ are prized for their especially deep scarlet tones.

Petunias

For an easy, cheerful burst of seasonal colour, try red and white petunias in baskets or pots. Pairing white petunias with red salvias also creates a bold, eye-catching combination. Or keep an eye out for red-and-white bi-coloured petunias for an instant holiday feel.

Around town gardens, oleanders and bougainvillea are in full flush. One of our favourite seasonal colour pairings is coming to an end as the jacarandas and Illawarra flame trees finish their dramatic flower drop.

Ozothamnus

In the wild places – particularly along the Triangle roadsides – look for Ozothamnus diosmifolium, a two-metre native shrub carrying tight clumps of small, white, papery flowers at the ends of its branches.

In the vegie garden it’s still a great time to plant fast-growing summer favourites such as cucumbers, beans and zucchini, as well as blocks of corn, more tomatoes and pumpkins. With hot, dry conditions settling in, be sure to keep water up to the garden and mulch any bare soil. If plants begin to wilt, consider providing shade cloth during the hottest part of the day.

Any comments, gardening questions or plant or pest identification problems, send them through to gardening@thetriangle.org.au. I will get back to you.

Happy growing and merry Christmas.

Photo at top right: NSW Christmas Bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum)

Mark Evans