“The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.” Burton Hillis. “He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.” Roy L. Smith.

December is here and there is only 22 days left until Christmas, so make the best of every moment while you enjoy all the Christmas décor along the way this season. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the season, take time to enjoy family, friends, community, Christmas lights, and holiday color.

Another holiday plant that gets some attention during this time of the year is the Christmas rose. A rose is a rose is a rose, but a Christmas rose is not a true rose! Surprised! In fact, it is a hellebore (Helleborus niger) and it may not flower as early as Christmas since it is a mid-winter flowering plant. The hellibores comprise approximately 20 species of herbaceous or evergreen perennial flowering plants in the family Ranunculaceae. Many of the species are poisonous. Even with names such as Christmas rose and Lenten rose, the hellebores are not even closely related to the rose family (Rosaceae). However, the Christmas rose does add holiday color to our joyful environments this time of the year.

Even so, Helleborus niger is an awesome plant with white, bowl-shaped flowers and lime green centers that will brighten a moist, shady location in late winter and early spring. The typical size is about 12 inches in height and 18 inches in spread.

This hellebore (the Christmas rose) is a renowned English plant and a true Christmas flower. Also called the snow or winter rose, it blooms in the middle of winter in the mountains of central Europe. The Christmas rose was the perennial plant of the year in 2005.

Legend links this plant with the birth of Christ and a little shepherd girl named Madelon. As Madelon tended her sheep in a snow-covered field one cold, winter night, wise men and other shepherds with their gifts for the Christ Child passed by her. The wise men brought the rich gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense while the shepherds came with fruits, honey and doves. Upon realizing the occasion, poor little Madelon wept at the thought of having nothing for the newborn King. In response to seeing her tears, an angel came and brushed away the snow exposing the most beautiful white flowers with pink tips appearing as roses.  She collected several blooms in her arms and went to see the Christ Child. She was overjoyed with complete fulfillment as the Christ Child turned away from all the rich gifts and reached out his holy little hands for the flowers she collected and offered. To her, this was truly a gift from the heavens to cheer her true and innocent heart (thus the recognition of the Christmas rose).

The Christmas rose is without fragrance but can be planted with winter honeysuckle to provide an inviting aroma. Its flowers don’t do well in a vase as a cut arrangement but simply cut the flowers without any stems and float them in a shallow bowl of water for an intriguing presentation that will be talked about for months.

Since hellebores do not like acid conditions, be sure to maintaining a more neutral to alkaline pH in the planting media. They do well under deciduous trees and against the bare trunks which allow light penetration during their flowering period. Planting them in containers and pots is also a good idea and they can be moved from location to location when in bloom. Also, they do well as a houseplant in the interior-scape and in the landscape as a cultivated herbaceous perennial.

All parts of this plant are poisonous by ingestion or dermally through the skin and or eye irritation. Symptoms of poisoning include the burning of mouth and throat, salivation, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, nervous symptoms, depression, and skin irritation (contact with cell sap). Protoanemonin, the toxic component, is poisonous if large quantities are consumed, but the skin irritation is minor lasting only a few minutes under normal exposure conditions.

The Christmas rose is the most widely used and the most spectacular of the hellebores. It is easier to grow than the very popular poinsettia and this flower is being promoted as the new and improved holiday potted plant which can later be transplanted into perennial beds for lasting enjoyment.

Hybridization between the species has greatly expanded the colors available including slate grey, light black, deep purple, plum, rich red, pinks, yellow, white and green. The outer surface of the sepals is tinged in green and as the flower matures it becomes greener. The individual flowers will remain intact for a month or more. Recent breeding programs have developed double- and semi-double flowering hellibores. Also, many new releases are disease and insect tolerant, including deer and rabbit resistance.

May the results of your holiday efforts be photo opps and memory-makers for seasons to come. Select awesome seasonal plants for the upcoming holidays. Enjoy the Christmas lights in your area. Also, plan a road trip to enjoy Christmas lights with all that splendor and beauty of the season.

Remember to feed and water the songbirds and give your pets the care they need. Do not allow them to have their way with holiday decorations or leave them out at night when the temperature drops very low. Keep your hanging baskets and potted plants refreshed with water and food as you acclimate them into their new settings away from coming adverse conditions. Also, be on lookout for children playing and bicyclists riding along the streets and roadways throughout our communities during this long holiday season. Remember to safely share the road with motorcycles. Don’t drive distracted or impaired, and don’t text while driving. Help the homeless every chance you get. As you receive blessings, always pay them forward and share with others.

Let’s keep everyone safe and secure while we enjoy this CHRISTmas season. May your decorating efforts provide you with an atmosphere filled with ornamental appeal and spiritual contentment. A very Merry CHRISTmas season to all and to all, Happy December activities with family and friends!

“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.” 1 Chronicles 16:8.

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Seagle is a Sustainability Associate (Golf Environment Organization, Scotland), Agronomist and Horticulturalist (CSI: Seagle – Consulting Services International), Professor Emeritus and Honorary Alumnus (Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College), and Short-Term Missionary for Peru (Heritage Church, Moultrie). Direct inquiries to csi_seagle@yahoo.com.