Repsol YPF

The classic fir tree is a well established Christmas symbol, hard to be replaced by any other vegetal species. Contrary to popular belief, buying a real tree is better from an ecological viewpoint than buying an artificial tree, whose recycling is quite expensive and complicated. A natural fir tree comes from renewable resources, plays a very important part in the ecosystem in which it grows, and is part of a land infrastructure many families in mountainous areas around the world live off. For a perfect tree, you only have to place it away from the heating and water it regularly. The most widely sold Christmas fir tree is the Excelsa, found in reforestation areas of the Spanish Pyrenees (Navarra and Huesca provinces); in second place we have the Nordmanniana, the most popular one in the northern countries; then, we have the Masjoani, a natural fir tree hybrid from the Pyrenees and Montseny; and finally, the Pinsapo, from the south of Spain and Morocco.  

Holly, mistletoe and moss are also well associated with the Christmas season. These three species are perfect for decorating the home in general and the Nativity Scene in particular. They should be bought in specialised shops where they are grown for this purpose, and not illegally uprooted from their natural habitat.
Poinsettia is by far the most common Christmas plant. It decorates European and American homes more prominently than other less known species that also have the same chromatic combination of reds and greens, necessary if we want to bring good luck to the home.  

Reds and greens, for luck
The range of appropriate Christmas species has been the same for decades. It is difficult to expand the list of suggestions man has spontaneously adapted to his traditions, following symbols accepted by the majority of existing societies, which give red and green plants the gift to attract good luck for the coming year. Based on this popular belief, consumers create their own Christmas garden with species as spectacular as the Christmas Cactus, Leucospermum and Protea. The first one, with pink or red flowers, comes from Brazil, and requires more water than the rest of the cactus. Leucospermum and Protea, shrubs belonging to the Protea family, are originally from South Africa and Australia and have adapted well to the Canary Islands climate. They bloom in autumn and winter, which makes them perfect for the Christmas season. They also have a long life as cut flowers. Amongst the Leucospermum group, the Scarlett Ribbon, with fantastic red flowers, stands out. Pink Ice, from the Protea family, with strong and intense pinks, is perfect for flower arrangements that use red colours.

Shining, symbol of prosperity
Gold and silver elements represent material wellbeing, the inflow of goods and income and economic prosperity. They are also colours used commonly in Christmas decorations, which combine well with plants. However, it is important to find the right plant and choose the right decoration from the chromatic range mentioned above. A variety of cactus and crasas wrapped in golden wire with small red balls or shiny threads is a winner. You can also decorate the lower part of the plant pot with silver or golden stones and glass balls or pearls. The choice of elements, pieces, details and sudden impulses is down to the consumer, whose only requirement will be the brightness of the chosen objects. 
Different branches, rushes and bamboos, and other species typical of the zen garden also look good with golden and metallic complements and accessories shaped as rocks, pebbles, gravel, nut shells and pineapples, amongst others. 

Related articles:

- Decoración en Navidad: un toque de imaginación

- La decoración navideña: aunar propuestas