Houseplant of the Month: December

Houseplants: like the perfect man... long lasting, great looking and low maintenance.  

What is not to love?  

Which is why the Flower Council of Holland have launched their Houseplant of the Month Campaign throughout 2015.  Each month they have chosen their favourite Houseplant and given a ton of information on the history and uses of the plant, how to choose a nice healthy one, and how to take proper good care of it.

We thought we'd do you all a favour and follow their lead, condensing the info in our own monthly feature.  

In the twelfth and final part of our year-long series...

December: Hyacinth

Hyacinths probably remind you of that scented soap in your nan's bathroom.  

Or Sunday afternoons watching Keeping Up Appearances while your family sleep off a roast around you.

But set aside these throwbacks to the days of old, and embrace the hyacinth!  

This is an excellent potted plant which looks as great before it flowers, with its sturdy bulb and green shoots, as it does once the pungent buds have emerged.

Last year, bored of overloading friends and acquaintances with sugar ladened treats and bottles of booze, we potted up hyacinths as Christmas gifts. 

It also makes a really inexpensive pressie. 

Not that that was a motivating factor...

Once potted with some multi-purpose compost in a pot that can drain, keep your hyacinth is a cool position and don't overwater.  If it starts to fall over - you've over-juiced!  

The Hyacinth is a symbol of peace and power.  

It comes from Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Palestine, Iraq and Iran.  

This year we will be planting hyacinths again for Christmas and, surrounded by warmth and family and love, we will think of those who have no peace and who have no power.