Although they look nothing alike, the “Christmas rose” (Helleborus niger) is the Germanic equivalent of the poinsettia (Weihnachtsstern). In German the central European plant goes by the name Christrose, Schneerose, or Weihnachtsrose, and gets its name from the fact that it blooms in the winter from December to March.
This is the path that the poinsettia has taken to become the most popular plant sold during the holidays in the United States. In the six weeks leading up to Christmas around 70 million poinsettias are sold in the country. And, since 2002, December 12 has been known as National Poinsettia Day.
German Good Luck Symbols or German Christmas Symbols: As Found in German Pyramids, German Smokers, German Cuckoo Clocks and German Nutcrackers. Germany is known for providing the candle pyramid, nutcrackers, and smokers to Christmas celebrations, but there are many other Christmas symbols, which stem from this country.
The reason we associate poinsettias with the holidays comes from an old Mexican legend. A young girl named Pepita was sad that she didn't have a gift to leave for the baby Jesus at Christmas Eve services. Her cousin tried to comfort her and said that Jesus would love any present from her, even the smallest one.
In Germany, people use an Adventskranz, or advent wreath, with four candles on it to celebrate the four advents or the four Sundays before Christmas. On each of the four Sundays preceding Christmas Eve, a candle is lit. After lightning the first candle, the Christmas season officially begins.
Christmas, or as the Germans call it – “Weihnachten” – is a busy time in Germany. Town streets and business offices are decorated with Christmas lights and branches of pine-needle and fir-needle trees. Everything appears in red and dark green – the colors of “Weihnachten” in Germany.
Poinsettias don't like fluctuating temperatures or to be near a draft (like most of us really) They much prefer a steady room temperature between 18°C and 25°C. Poinsettias need warmth and plenty of natural, filtered light, so being close to a radiator shouldn't be a problem.
The December birth flowers are the narcissus (paperwhite), poinsettia and the holly. While poinsettias are more commonly associated with Christmas, they are also considered as birth flowers for December.
There is religious symbolism in the poinsettia flower – the star shape represents the Star of Bethlehem, the red leaves represent the blood of Christ, and white leaves represent the purity of Christ. The botanical name for Poinsettias is Euphorbia Pulcherrima, which literally means “the most beautiful Euphorbia”.
History of the German Christmas pyramid
Christmas pyramids (Weihnachtspyramide in German) are a well loved Christmas decoration and is treasured all around the world. Sometimes called a Christmas windmill, wooden carousel or nativity pyramid, they all have their history in traditional German Christmas celebrations.
Then when July finally rolls around, this is when Australians celebrate Christmas in the traditional sense since it's colder. Although we know it as Christmas in July, Australians call this second celebration Yuletide or Yulefest.
Poinsettias come in many colors
They range from creamy white to pink to the traditional bright red. Some varieties have bracts with patterns in red and white, pink and white, or green and white and even bright orange. Flower forms vary as well with some looking similar to a rose.
Poinsettias
What flower is given the most at Christmas? You likely aren't surprised that poinsettias make the top of the list. These festive florals are easily identifiable by their large velvety red petals and dark green foliage underneath. Other color variations feature white and pink flowers.
Poinsettias, Christmas cactus and candy cane amaryllis are some of the most iconic blooms. But there are plenty of other beautiful picks that deck the halls with holiday cheer.
The Australian native December birth flower: Waratah
Just one look at those striking, one-of-a-kind red flowers and you know instantly: that's Aussie. The waratah is even the state floral emblem of NSW and was also the national floral emblem, too, before it was beaten out by wattle.
There are two December birth flowers: holly and narcissus. Each of these birth flowers has its own meanings and are either thriving during the month of December or are easy to force to bloom!
The December birth flowers are holly and narcissus.
A protected, sunny spot and preferred temperatures between 20-25C. Not frost hardy. Allow potting mix to dry out between watering. In a garden requires free-draining soil.
Restoring a healthy green Poinsettia plant from last year back to its original red color is no problem if you follow a few simple rules. Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) need total darkness, for 14 hours each day, starting about eight weeks before you want to display them.
Contrary to how things look, your plant is not dying. It has finished blooming and is now moving into a resting phase, a period of dormancy that is part of its natural annual cycle. After about half of the poinsettia's leaves have fallen off, you should gradually start to reduce watering frequency.
Germany's original Christmas gift-bearer St. Nicholas — Sankt Nikolaus in German — makes his tour through town a few weeks earlier in Germany than in America. This isn't because Santa's schedule is just too busy to cover the groundwork before Dec.
The traditional Christmas meal features duck, goose, rabbit or a roast. This main dish is accompanied by German delicacies such as apple and sausage stuffing, red cabbage and potato dumplings. Dessert typically includes Christmas Stollen, considered one of the best Christmas pastries in the world!
Both December 25 and 26 are legal holidays in Germany and are known as the First and Second Christmas Day respectively. What originally started out as a church celebration of Christ's birth has gradually become a family celebration. Businesses are closed, and time is spent visiting with extended family.