Look outside – not in the shops – for more natural ways to deck your halls

Forget pricy imported flowers and plastic wreaths, there is plenty of inspiration in the garden – and from British-grown blooms

Winter flowers may not seem too unusual: you can find grand bouquets of amaryllis, eucalyptus and poinsettia in most florists at this time of year. Bold, brash and imported, these frequently scarlet (and occasionally glitter-tipped) blooms must compete with tinsel to be considered worthy of table space – and have a carbon footprint to match. Social media tutorials on garlands, which rely on plastic pine and spruce, are on the rise. These are not helping anyone become more environment-conscious this Christmas.

But look outside and there may be plenty of winter flowers many of us overlook. Hellebores, for instance (more on those in the new year), or forced narcissus (how are yours coming along?). There’s also the cheery courage of violas and pansies (edible, so you can add them to cocktails) and the ethereal dangle and divine scent of witch hazel. We are woefully behind in ignoring seasonality and sourcing when it comes to cut flowers. As with food, when we shift our expectations of what floral offerings can be, we uncover whole new depths of beauty.

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