Among the most decorate species for this purpose are the madro�o tree�and holly. The former is an everygreen shrub with shiny green leaves and red twigs. At this time of year it yields berries with a bright red color. These fruits are rough on the outside, although they taste sweet when they soften.�

Holly, which has dark green leaves that end in points, blooms with red berries stuck to the twigs. They like moisture and loose acidic soil with lots of peat. There is a variety with white leaves that is just right for brightening up dark spaces.

For greate contrast of colors, which is typical in Christmas, you can use plants with leaves that turn silver, such as senecio or eleagnus. The former is a small plant with leaves that are covered with white fuzz that gives them their characteristic silver tone. When planted in low pots and in groups, the result is spectacular, especially when dark green plants are used in the background. The eleagnus is a shrub with leaves that are silver or gold on the back side. Although their blooming in late summer is not significant, they give off a nice aroma that is particularly pleasant in a patio.

There are also plants that bloom at this time of year. If you want to decorate a room with white or pink flowers, camellias and cyclamens are ideal. They bloom for a long time. The sasancua camellia features a simple blossom in shades of pink and the narumi variety does so in white. When the petals fall off, the stamen keeps its attractive yellow color.

Cyclamens tend to be sold as indoor plants around this time of year, but they survive outside if the weather is not severe. The flowers stand out from the leaves and can be red, pink or white. There are several sizes available: the smallest stand 15 centimeters high, while the best known ones reach 30 centimeters. They all have round green leaves with white spots of varying size. This makes them very attractive, even after blooming. When choosing one at a garden supply store, make sure the leaves are not yellow and it still has unopened buds so they keep blooming after you have bought it.

Cyclamens, when placed in groups of one or two colors, repeating this pattern throughout the patio or porch, look good at Christmas.