ACADEMY

How to do Christmas either with or without a real tree

When the BBC reported that there may be a Christmas tree shortfall this year due to less than ideal climactic conditions for growing, we got to thinking about the alternatives. Oliver Combe, from the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA), told the Beeb that a long period of dry weather after an "exceptionally wet" 2024 had resulted in reduced growth and a shortage of bushy trees that are coveted as foundation for festive décor. So what are the options if a decent Christmas tree proves elusive or you fancy something a bit different? The experts at Lechuza and Stars for Europe are here to save the day!

Branching out
If you’re not in the mood for sweeping up pine needles or tending to anything except yourself and your guests in the run up to Christmas, there are plenty of ways to make your home look festive and it doesn’t have to involve plastics. Just as driftwood naturally inspires a coastal atmosphere, fallen branches or fir prunings can be arranged in containers and used as the basis for a home-crafted tree. For an extra splash of forestcore goodness use pinecones, nuts and other woodland-foraged items to decorate garlands, wreaths and candle holders.

Pictured right, upcycling is taken to another level with the help of a tall and elegant CUBICO planter from Lechuza and branches decorated with Christmas cards, baubles and small Secret-Santa gifts. Priced at £150.42, this premium self-watering planter is built to last and will carry on looking its beautiful best for years to come. Suitable for use either indoors or outside.

Miniature boxwoods have been transformed into cosy table centrepieces with the addition of candles and rustic decorations made from natural materials. Placed inside beautiful CANTO Stone self-watering planters. Priced at just £14.44, these neat planters will ensure your little trees receive exactly the right amount of water and micronutrients. Even better, they can be popped straight into the container without the need for repotting. In spring you can plant the growing trees outside or in larger containers, whilst your CANTO Stone pot can be used for any sort of small plant and kept either inside our outdoors.

Small but Sweet
If you can’t find a tree you really like this year, if you’re short on space or just want to try something a bit different, you needn’t resort to fakery as there are plenty of other plants which evoke Christmas from every leaf.

Chief amongst these is the beautiful poinsettia, originally a native of Mexico and now renowned worldwide as the Christmas Star. Years of inspired and dedicated breeding has produced poinsettias in a wide array of gorgeous colours in addition to traditional red, which will enable you to create interior looks ranging from cool and minimalist Scandi-chic to maximal Boho and Barbie pink.

Ranging in size from dainty minis that beautifully serve as natural decorations in their own right, to larger, bushy plants that can form the basis of sensational centrepieces, poinsettias should be your go-to plant if you want to shout ‘CHRISTMAS’ from your windows, tables, shelves and mantelpieces. These pink poinsettias look fabulous in dark glossy CUBE planters from LECHUZA, whilst traditional red makes a real statement in the Scarlet glossy version (RRP: £18.69)

Christmas Stars

As well as being highly decorative, poinsettias make thoughtful gifts at this time of year and are the ideal dinner party present to give throughout Advent. With the proper care and attention (no cold draughts or over-watering being key!) they’ll last well beyond Epiphany in January and in theory will keep on flourishing for seasons and years to come if you decide you want to keep them. Pink poinsettia image by Stars for Europe.

The name Christmas Star comes from the characteristic star-like shape of the bracts and the timing of their appearance, as they burst into bloom just in time for Christmas. Combining decorative beauty with deep symbolic meaning, poinsettias are now available in a variety of beautiful colours alongside their traditional red, including Barbie and blush pink, cream, yellow, apricot, white and delightful variegated leaves.

Starry sparkle for your festive table: Cream-coloured poinsettias look really elegant in upcycled vases made from small glass bottles covered in glittery wallpaper. Other florals such as honesty pods (Lunaria annua), snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) and white sprayed asparagus are a perfect match. They complement this homemade arrangement and give it a stylish, wintry touch. Image by Stars for Europe.

Snowberries 
Distinctive, decorative and resilient, there are about 15 species of Snowberry, most of which are native to north and central America. The berries for which this pretty plant is famed grow in densely packed clusters which makes them ideal for use in winter bouquets, as festive adornments or displayed in their own right as pictured here. Once again the gorgeous glossy Cube planter offers the perfect backdrop for a winter wonderland scene.

Shamelessly fake it
Last but not least, there are some great fake trees out there and there’s nothing stopping you placing them in a stylish container and dressing them up proudly, just as you would the real thing. You can go as large or small as you want by going down the fake tree root, using miniature decorative trees to decorate desks and side tables or putting up a spectacular focal point in the corner of your sitting room or hallway.

On the right, a premium Lechuza planter is all you need to make an artificial Christmas tree that’s worthy of a film set!  Available in three sizes and Charcoal, Scarlet and White colourways, this premium Delta planter is perfect for the job. With prices that start from £74.79, you can customise the planter and your artificial tree year-after-year, or repurpose it for your favourite houseplant when we head into the New Year. A removable drain screw allows you to drain off excess water when using outside.

Shop the full range at thelechuza.co.uk