December's Birth Flowers ... Holly and Narcissus, both symbolize happiness and hope

December birth flowers are holly and narcissus (specifically, the paperwhite).

While December’s flowers may be very different from each other, one being a bulb and the other an evergreen shrub, they both symbolize happiness and hope, and as we are getting closer to saying goodbye to 2025 and welcoming 2026 these words may be appearing in your thoughts and resolutions.

The Holly
Holly symbolizes a wish for domestic happiness.

Hollies are male and female! You’ll generally need one of each to produce those recognizable red berries, which can also appear as white, yellow, black, and pink. Only the female varieties produce berries.

Although some animals and birds enjoy holly berries, they are semi-toxic to humans.

The good news is that deer tend to avoid eating holly due to their sharp leaves, which makes them a deer-resistant plant for gardens.

Holly in History

• In the 1800s, it is said that Scotland’s Duke of Argyll had a new road rerouted to avoid cutting down an old holly tree.
• In 1939, American holly was named the state tree of Delaware.
• Holly wood was used to make furniture for centuries and as firewood, burning long and hot on cold winter nights.
• American holly and English holly are the two species most often used for holiday décor today.

The Narcissus (Paperwhite)

Narcissus conveys that you want your beloved to stay just the way they are.

While there are many types of flowers in the genus Narcissus (including the daffodil), the paperwhite is the winter-growing variety and the birth flower for December.

Paperwhites are tender bulbs and not winter hardy, this is why they are often “forced” indoors as a holiday plant during the darkest days of winter. They are simply planted in pots or bowls with gravel or marbles with a little water.

A paperwhite bulb will often flower within a month of planting, producing white blooms and as many as a dozen flowers. They have a sweet and musky fragrance, which is not to everyone's taste!

Narcissus in History

• Within the Narcissus genus, paperwhites are the oldest and most widely distributed, making it one of the most popular flowering bulbs in the world.
• Since it can bloom mid-winter, the paperwhite is sometimes associated with the Chinese Lunar New Year.
• Due to its strong fragrance, paperwhites have been used in making perfumes. However, all parts of the paperwhite are poisonous, with the bulb itself being the most toxic.

I do like seeing the green leaves and lovely red berries of holly and the colours of red and green are my favoured colours for Christmas décor. I haven't any paperwhites. Do you have either of these two December flowers in your home? Perhaps you prefer a different plant, do please share your thoughts.

All the best Jan