This time of year has got to be one of my favourites with the huge variety of winter flowering plants available, and the start of buying fresh cut winter blooms, such as amaryllis, for the shop.

We have put up and decorated the Christmas tree, and have been out and about sourcing some very fine, unusual Christmas sundries.  In fact, the shop is looking very festive indeed, which is just in time as Saturday marks the beginning of Christmas in Hythe with the annual Mistletoe Fayre.  This is a particularly enjoyable family event with the highlight being Father Christmas turning on the village lights.  It is also the day that Steph's seasonal outfit is unveiled, which always puts a smile on many local faces.

With the village Fayre being named after "mistletoe" I thought it may be of interest to provide a little information on this very festive plant.  The native species of mistletoe in Britain is known of as Viscum Album.  It is this species that is at the core of most traditions and legends, including the Christmas association of kissing under the mistletoe! This species grows on a wide variety of deciduous trees during the winter months.  In Britain the most common host for mistletoe is the cultivated apple tree, though it can also be found on other favourites such as poplars and hawthorns.  Favourite habitats include gardens, parklands, churchyards and any other place where plenty of light is available.
From mid-December onwards we have fresh bunches of mistletoe available in our shop, ready to be used to decorate your home.  We also stock a variety of frosted and non-frosted artificial sprigs of mistletoe throughout the whole of December.

Hope to see you soon,

Jane x