In the winter months, many of the plants that we see in the spring and summer are gone – this is the time for the evergreens. Winter foliage is varied and beautiful and in the dark days of the winter, the bright green leaves and vibrant berries of the winter plants are a joy to be around when most of the natural world is sleeping.
During the winter we want to remind ourselves of that endurance of life under the frozen earth, and the tradition of bringing a Christmas tree into the home is testament to this. Our ancestors going back thousands of years would bring in the green from outdoors, and today people go to places like this real Christmas trees Leicester based farm https://welfordchristmastreefarm.co.uk/ to do exactly that.
You can also go into the woodlands and look for the other evergreen plants that we associate with the festive season. It is ok to take a little for your home but make sure that you leave plenty for the animals that rely on these plants over the winter.
Holly is one of the most well-known festive trees. With its glossy spiky leaves and bright red berries, it is easy to recognise and over the winter it helps wildlife by giving them a safe place to hide, and the berries are a treat for birds in the winter.
Ivy is another well-known winter plant – hardy and strong, ivy can be found scrambling across the forest floor and up the trees where the berries feed the late flying bees – if you haven’t tried ivy honey you should, as it is delicious!
Mistletoe is a festive favourite and has been revered for centuries. To the Druids it was a plant of fertility which is where the kissing tradition comes from!
