Grow a living Christmas tree

Woolly Bush (Adenanthos sericeus)

The silky soft foliage of this native shrub (pictured above) gives rise to its common names of woolly bush or pat bush. You just have to stroke it! At Christmas time, you can buy pots of tall, cone-shaped woolly bushes – usually decorated with red ribbons – that make pretty Christmas trees. It’s native to Western Australia’s south coast, where it thrives despite harsh exposure and dry summers. In eastern states, this species demands perfect drainage and free air movement, as it dislikes humidity; it does very well in pots. A week indoors is probably its limit.

Emerald Cedar (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’)

This popular conifer forms a tall cone shape and features dense, bright green foliage that is soft to touch. As it’s native to North America and Canada, it is frost tolerant, but will grow in most parts of Australia, reaching 3–4m tall and about 1.5m wide. It’s used as a small hedge or as a feature specimen in formal gardens. Slow growing, it requires little maintenance and is suitable for containers. It should last 7–10 days when you bring it indoors.

Norway Spruce (Picea abies)

Norway spruce is the traditional Christmas tree seen throughout Europe, loved for its shapely form and layered branches, which are ideal for holding Christmas baubles. It also has a beautiful pine scent. The short, deep-green needles are softer than other spruces and the branches slightly flexible. It has a moderate growth rate, so re-pot every two years. In cold climates, it can grow to 50m in the ground, with shallow, far-reaching roots. Potted plants are best in cooler climates; avoid hot, dry conditions. When brought indoors for 7–10 days, keep the soil moist and avoid heat stress.

Want to decorate your living Christmas tree? Read this article and discover how to create festive baubles inspired by nature.

Photo by Brent Wilson