December 26

Birth Flower

Lilyturf
Mondograss Ophiopogon Snake's Beard

Scientific Name: Ophiopogon japonicus
Family: Asparagaceae

Flower Language

  • Genius
  • Unchanging love
  • Steadfast heart

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Lilyturf is an evergreen perennial native to Japan and China, long cherished as garden groundcover. It produces small purple or white flowers in early summer, followed by beautiful blue round berries in late autumn. Its dense, narrow leaves remain green year-round, making it valuable as ground cover due to its tolerance of heat and cold. The roots are used in traditional Chinese medicine as Ophiopogonis Radix for treating coughs.

Trivia

  • The genus name Ophiopogon means 'snake's beard' in Greek.
  • Blue berries are dispersed by birds that eat them.
  • Once established, maintains beautiful green color for many years.
  • Used in Chinese medicine for over 2000 years.

Uses

Ornamental
  • Garden ground cover
  • Landscape edging
  • Container gardening accent
Medicinal
  • Roots used as Ophiopogonis Radix for cough relief
  • Tonic effects
  • Lung moistening properties

Caution: Do not use medicinally without professional guidance.

Culinary

Not suitable for culinary use.

Other
  • Soil protection
  • Erosion control

Toxicity

Symptoms: No toxicity reported.

Garden Cyclamen
Hardy Cyclamen Outdoor Cyclamen

Scientific Name: Cyclamen persicum
Family: Primulaceae

Flower Language

  • Shyness
  • Reserve
  • Diffidence

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Garden Cyclamen is a cold-hardy variety developed in Saitama Prefecture, Japan in 1996. Unlike traditional cyclamen grown indoors, these were bred for outdoor garden enjoyment. They can withstand temperatures down to -5°C and bloom from October to April. Flowers come in white, pink, red, purple and other colors, with single, frilled, or bell-shaped varieties available.

Trivia

  • World's first cold-hardy cyclamen developed in Japan.
  • Blooms for 5-6 months during winter when few flowers are available.
  • Bulbous plant that goes dormant in summer.
  • Varieties include Illusion, Petticoat, and Crayon series.

Uses

Ornamental
  • Winter garden planting
  • Mixed containers
  • Patio displays
Medicinal

Caution: Not recommended for medicinal use.

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption.

Other
  • Winter landscape beautification

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Bulb, Leaves

Symptoms: Ingestion may cause gastrointestinal upset.

Bouvardia
Trumpetilla Hummingbird flower

Scientific Name: Bouvardia ternifolia
Family: Rubiaceae

Flower Language

  • Communication
  • Intellectual charm
  • Fantasy

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Bouvardia is an evergreen shrub from Central America and Mexico in the Rubiaceae family. Named after Charles Bouvard, head gardener to Louis XIII of France. Square buds open into distinctive cross-shaped flowers with four petals. The tubular flowers come in white, pink, and red colors, making it popular for cut flower arrangements.

Trivia

  • Named after French royal head gardener Charles Bouvard.
  • Popular choice for bridal flowers.
  • Known to attract hummingbirds.
  • Commonly greenhouse-grown due to cold sensitivity.

Uses

Ornamental
  • Cut flowers
  • Bouquets
  • Greenhouse cultivation
Medicinal

Caution: Limited information available for medicinal uses.

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption.

Other
  • Floral arrangements
  • Wedding decorations

Toxicity

Symptoms: Limited reports of toxicity.

Christmas Rose
Hellebore Lenten Rose

Scientific Name: Helleborus niger
Family: Ranunculaceae

Flower Language

  • Relieve my anxiety
  • Comfort
  • Remembrance

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Christmas Rose is a perennial from the Ranunculaceae family native to Europe and western Asia. Known as the 'Winter Lady' for blooming during the flower-scarce winter months from December to April. Flowers come in white, pink, purple, yellow-green and other colors, with single, semi-double, and double forms. Highly cold-tolerant and preferring partial shade, it's valued for adding color to winter gardens.

Trivia

  • True Christmas Rose is only white-flowered Helleborus niger.
  • Popular varieties in Japan are mainly Orientalis hybrids.
  • Petal-like parts are actually sepals.
  • Takes 3-4 years from seed to bloom.

Uses

Ornamental
  • Winter garden planting
  • Cut flowers
  • Container growing
Medicinal
  • Ancient medicinal use

Caution: Currently prohibited for medicinal use due to toxicity.

Culinary

Not edible, toxic.

Other
  • Shade gardens
  • Naturalistic landscapes

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Severe

Toxic Parts: All parts, Rhizome, Seeds

Symptoms: Ingestion causes vomiting, diarrhea, and potentially fatal cardiac effects.

Winter Begonia
Lorraine Begonia Christmas Begonia

Scientific Name: Begonia × cheimantha
Family: Begoniaceae

Flower Language

  • Declaration of love
  • Happy days
  • Unrequited love

Characteristics

Colors:

Description

Winter Begonia refers to horticultural varieties that bloom during winter months. Also known as 'Christmas Begonia' for its holiday season blooming period. Being tender, it requires indoor cultivation. Flowers come in red, white, and pink colors, typically single-flowered. The characteristic heart-shaped, asymmetrical leaves inspired flower language meanings of 'declaration of love' and 'unrequited love'.

Trivia

  • Begonia named after botanist Michel Bégon.
  • Asymmetrical leaves are unusual in the plant kingdom.
  • Monoecious with separate male and female flowers.
  • Also known as Lorraine Begonia varieties.

Uses

Ornamental
  • Indoor potted plants
  • Christmas decoration
  • Winter gardens
Medicinal

Caution: Not recommended for medicinal use.

Culinary

Not suitable for consumption.

Other
  • Indoor decoration
  • Gift plants

Toxicity

Toxicity Level: Mild

Toxic Parts: Leaves, Stems

Symptoms: Ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort.