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Thanks to Hollywood, most of us dream of a white Christmas. We envision a crisp evening filled with the aroma of pine and wood smoke, halls decked with holly and a faint tinkling of sleigh bells in the distance.
That’s Christmas if you live on the back lot at Sony or you make your home in the snowy Connecticut countryside. But it’s not Christmas in Southern California.
Although Christmas tree lots filled with fir and pine dot nearly every urban corner, their relationship to Southern California, and even the holiday itself, is debatable.
The, Uh, Palmdale Connection
The divine child whose birth is celebrated by the holiday was born in the desert. The environs of his birth look more like Palmdale and Mojave than they do New Hampshire or upstate New York.
Despite being associated with Christmas, the true origins of the Christmas tree are pre-Christian, originating in ancient Germanic history. According to historians, Germanic tribes lighted trees (Tannenbaum) and celebrated the feast of light (Lichtfest) around the shortest day of the year, Dec. 21.
The first use of these trees to celebrate the birth of the Christ, were observed in16th century Germany. “Christmas trees” were later popularized across the Western world in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Making Do Nicely for Christmas
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Today, most of us feel tradition-bound, and simply are unwilling to part with our passion for pine and fir. But there are other trees, plants and flowers that you can use to build a true California Christmas.
Although it may seem blasphemous to some, miniature palms make an ideal Christmas tree. Decorated with twinkling lights and adorned with a spare selection of ornaments, they more resemble the foliage that may have surrounded the holy manger more than two thousand years ago.
Lest you think you are alone, palms are decked out for Christmas all across the Southern California urban landscape, from beaches at Venice to swank shopping thoroughfares of Beverly Hills. When the holiday is over, you can replant your palm in welcoming soil or keep it potted for a future Christmas.
From the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts of western Arizona to the slopes of the washes of California grows the cholla, or Christmas Cactus. Sometimes called the Tsejo, Diamond Cactus or Holycross Cholla, this majestic desert specimen blooms with greenish yellow or bronze flowers, and in winter displays tiny clusters of red berries that look very similar to holly.
Roots of Its Name
[img]246|left|||no_popup[/img] Although there are cultivated varieties of cactus and euphorbia called Christmas Cactus, the native Opuntia leptocaulis acquired the name because its bright red fruits provide a colorful contrast to the brown deserts during the Christmas season.
As an alternative to the traditional poinsettia – also a succulent in the euphorbia family – and for a festive subtropical look, think about selecting the Anthurium.
Sometimes called the Flamingo Flower, the Anthurium grows in many forms, mostly evergreen.
[img]247|left|||no_popup[/img] Because of its striking perfection and near-perfect sheen, upon seeing for the first time, many people mistakenly think the Anthurium is an artificial flower. The leaves are petiolate and possess a structure called the geniculum, which is unique to the genus Anthurium.
The geniculum allows the plant to swivel its leaves towards the sun, much in the same manner as sunflowers. In drier environments, the leaves can form a bird's-nest shaped rosette that enables the plant to collect falling organic debris and water,allowing it to blend its own natural fertilizer.
Despite its many unique natural characteristics, the Anthurium is an enchanting plant that is a perfect compliment to your Christmas Cactus and embellishment for your holiday palm.
All of these holiday trees and plants are available from our nursery. Come by and we’ll be happy to show you our ideas for a real California Christmas.
Carlos Saez is the owner of The Jungle Nursery, a leading designer garden center specializing in unique sculptural plants, tropicals, succulents, bamboo and a wide selection of indoor foliage including orchids. The Jungle, 1900 Sawtelle Blvd., West Los Angeles. 310. 235.2875.
Mr. Saez’ gardening column appears on Wednesdays.
