Total Pageviews

Wednesday 29 December 2021

Decembers Flowers : Happiness and Hope

For those of you who have read the post 'December Arrives, the twelfth month' you will know that 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 so close to saying goodbye to 2021 and welcoming 2022 these words may be appearing in our thoughts and resolutions! I wonder will you be making any New Year resolutions?

The Holly
Holly symbolizes a wish for domestic happiness.

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.


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.


We do have some (artificial) holly sprigs indoors as part of the Christmas Holiday décor. I do like seeing the green leaves and lovely red berries, but haven't any paperwhites. Do you have either of these two December flowers in your home?

~  ~  ~  ~  ~

As regular readers know, this blog is presented in a magazine style - we hope something for everyone. You will find a variety of articles, studies, thoughts, photographs, music and recipes!


However, not all the recipes ideas featured in this blog may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

36 comments:

Tom said...

...paperwhites are beautiful, but they are too fragrant for me.

John's Island said...

Hello Jan, I did not realize the December birth flowers are holly and the paperwhite. I learn something everytime I visit your blog and I thank you for that. :-) I especially like knowing that the Narcissus (Paperwhite) conveys that you want your beloved to stay just the way they are. I think this will be my next purchase at the flower shop. :-) You asked: "I wonder will you be making any New Year resolutions?" I haven't really set one yet, but my initial thought ... Resolved to see if I can keep walking, nearly every day, about 2 miles (3.2km) in 2022. I am not sure if I will get marked down for selecting a resolution that is just a continuation of a habit I've already developed. :-) Thanks, Jan, for sharing your blog and for the kind comments you leave on mine. Happy New Year to you and Eddie! John

DeniseinVA said...

That's fascinating Jan, enjoyed learning this very much. Thank you for another interesting post and for the many you have shared since I have been coming here. Happy New Year to you and Eddie!

J.P. Alexander said...

Me encanta el acebo. Te mando un beso

William Kendall said...

I was unfamiliar with paperwhites.

Lori Miller said...

The Cleveland Botanical Garden had orchids, ferns and bromeliads arranged to look like a Christmas tree--photo here: https://relievemypain.blogspot.com/2021/12/merry-christmas.html

Christine said...

Enjoyed this post, my sister was just gifted paper whites.

Elephant's Child said...

Happiness and hope are welcome at any time of the year.

My name is Erika. said...

Very interesting about these flowers.

kathyinozarks said...

Hi Jan Beautiful post
Happy New Years

Valerie-Jael said...

I never make resolutions, I either forget them or don't keep them. My mantra is 'live in the moment' and I use it for years. Happy New Year, Valerie

Bob Bushell said...

Season's greetings to you as well, lovely colours.

... said...

Thanks a lot for everything you share in your blog, wish you all the best for 2022

CJ Kennedy said...

We forced paperwhites when the girlies were little. So pretty.

Davey Bacaron Designs said...

Love reading your posts! Thanks fro sharing.

Jo said...

Paperwhites are such lovely flowers, I know some people have them growing so that they bloom for Christmas, whereas Holly just shouts Christmas at me.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
Pretty holly photo, I love the paperwhites.
Take care, have a great day!
I wish you all the best in 2022, Happy New Year!

R's Rue said...

I always learn something new.

Inger said...

This mornings has become one of learning as I visit the blogs of my friends. I enjoyed learning about the paperwhite as I had no idea this was a winter flower.

J C said...

Sending you the very best wishes for a wonderful new year.

baili said...

i loved the paper white flowers !

it was nice to learn how flower speak symbolically for our emotions specially i was unaware about December flowers ,thank you for great posts as always

health ,peace and joy to you and loved ones!

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

I am a December birthday and never realized that Holly was my birth flower. When I was very young we lived in a garden apartment complex that was landscaped with lots of holly bushes. From that young age, I always found myself attracted to them.

Jeanie said...

I try to grow paperwhites each year. I had no idea of their background, so thank you!

Happy Christmas Week!

Bill said...

Thanks for the info on paperwhites, it is all new to me.

Snowbird said...

Happiness and hope, lovely plants, especially the paper whites.xxx

DVArtist said...

Great post with lots of info and wonderful photos.

Lorrie said...

We have a holly bush in our garden. Paperwhites I usually grow in bulbs, but didn't this year, choosing an amaryllis instead. It's been slow and is not yet blooming, but a bud is forming and in January I'll have a beautiful flower.

Wishing you and yours a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

Breathtaking said...

Hello, Paperwhites are pretty flowers and I love the photo and the message they are said to convey. If December flowers bring happiness and hope, they are welcome in my home. I never make New Year's Resolutions, but I do send New Years greetings. "Happy New Year to Jan and Eddie" and to their Family/families.

Jenn Jilks said...

I lack the will and energy, but I meant to go find me some paperwhites and amaryllis, I really did!

Pam said...

I love both those plants. So pretty.

Debbie said...

i have paper white bulbs waiting to be planted. tomorrow is the day!!

Angie said...

Jan - we have some artificial holly as decorations! For all that my parents were both born in December, I did not know that paperwhites are the birth flower for the month! Thanks for the education! Happy New Year to you!

sandy said...

I love the post - because...
My birth month is December.
My granddaughter's name is Holly.
So there's that!
Nice post

thank you.

Conniecrafter said...

After I take down the Christmas decorations I plan on going out and picking some of our Holly to put in an arrangement!

Teresa said...

Muy buen reportaje, me encantó verlo. Besos.

Anne (cornucopia) said...

Beautiful photos.