Birth flowers for December
December birth flower: narcissus and holly
Narcissus, the paperwhite cousin of the daffodil, means good wishes. Holly means protection and is a northern Christmas symbol.
In Australia, daffodils isn't usually in season in December, so look for imported stems or choose a seasonal flower from the list below.
The story behind the December birth flowers
December's birth flowers are the narcissus and holly. The lists are English and American, and in the northern hemisphere December is midwinter, when paperwhite narcissus are grown indoors in bowls for Christmas and holly is one of the few plants with colour outside.
Kate Greenaway's Language of Flowers (1884) is hard on the narcissus, giving it as egotism, after the Greek myth of the young man who fell in love with his own reflection. Holly means foresight. The kinder modern meanings, good wishes for narcissus and protection for holly, are later additions. Being confirmed
In Australia both are out of season. Narcissus and daffodils flower here from about June to September, and holly is rarely sold as a cut stem. English holly is also listed as an environmental weed in parts of Victoria. Being confirmed A bowl of paperwhite bulbs is a nice gift for later, planted in autumn for winter flowers.
Summer gives you better choices for a December birthday. NSW Christmas bush is the local Christmas stem and suits a birthday close to the 25th. Hydrangeas are coming into their peak and give a lot of flower per stem. Tasmanian lavender starts flowering this month, and a dried bunch keeps long after the party. Sunflowers are back from the first summer crops. Lilies are available all year and bring height and scent, though pull off the pollen-laden stamens so they don't stain.
Gift tip: Order at least a week ahead, because florists are busiest before Christmas and many close for a few days after the 24th.
The birth flower
In season for a December birthday
All of December
