There are a two places that I know it grows in profusion and one is my village churchyard. Coming down a hill the church is straight ahead and the tall churchyard trees have lots of Mistletoe balls high up.
The Hog and Hen Farm shop had a barrow of mistletoe outside which people could help themselves for a donation to charity. I just had this little piece so I could add it to my greenery jug at home.
No wonder it was considered sacred and magical by our ancestors. Always there and green when all around the leaves have gone.
The Mistletoe
Sitting under the mistletoe
(Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),
One last candle burning low,
All the sleepy dancers gone,
Just one candle burning on,
Shadows lurking everywhere:
Some one came, and kissed me there.
Tired I was; my head would go
Nodding under the mistletoe
(Pale-green, fairy mistletoe),
No footsteps came, no voice, but only,
Just as I sat there, sleepy, lonely,
Stooped in the still and shadowy air
Lips unseen—and kissed me there.
By Walter De La Mare 1873 - 1956
Another place where there is lots of mistletoe is in the much smaller trees all round Ipswich hospital. I noticed it during the many hospital visits when Colin was ill.
I might try squidging some mistletoe berries into little nicks on the apple tree branches here - it's not worked before but you never know.
Many thanks for comments yesterday, lovely to hear from people who enjoy reading the blog and are commenting for the first time.
Back Tomorrow
Sue
It's always worth a go. The RHS has some advice.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=134 (copy and paste)
IOt seems that berries picked for Christmas are immature so are unlikely to grow. Do you have access to some in early spring?
xx
You can actually buy your 'grow your own mistletoe' kit, if you want!!!!
Deletexx
I'll have a go - It's very slow growing so I doubt I'd be here to see it anyway!
DeleteWhat an unusual looking plant the mistletoe is! I can see why being evergreen was such an attraction to ancient peoples.
ReplyDeleteI found the poem a little sad, like it was turning from the kiss of young lovers to the memories held by one now alone. I guess that is life.
It certainly is a sad poem - missing a loved one and imagining a kiss
DeleteWe used to have mistletoe growing on our apple trees, so we always had some for Christmas. I've heard of the squidging method and I don't see why you shouldn't be able to spread it around just like the birds do.
ReplyDeleteWorth a try anyway
DeleteI love to look for mistletoe when I am out walking.
ReplyDeleteHazel c uk
Easy to spot this time of year
DeleteWe have a type of invasive mistletoe that grows on the trees in Northern Saskatchewan. It isn't as pretty as your mistletoe and it is killing the pines here.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
That sounds nasty stuff, our mistletoe is parasitic but doesn't kill it's host - and is very slow growing and not easily spread
DeleteI love spotting mistletoe in the trees when driving through Worcestershire and Herefordshire! We have none here in Eastern US!
ReplyDeleteIt does well on old apple trees I think
DeleteOh, I am totally taken aback at the idea of trying to grow mistletoe. Here in Texas it is such a parasitic pest. We have to pay to have it removed before it kills our trees. And I so enjoy your blog. I still have my bed bound husband and am encouraged by how well you are coping on your own. Merry Christmas to all. Julia
ReplyDeleteLuckily the mistletoe we have here doesn't kill trees - it's very different to what you have there. Slow growing and not easily spread
DeleteThank you for your kind words - I'm working hard at coping alone - sometimes it's very hard work
Loads of different trees seem to have it on them here in Norfolk.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to flourish in some places better than others
DeleteMy dad used to shoot the mistletoe out of the high oak? trees when he'd go hunting in the late fall, down in Kentucky. Shotgun. I always loved it, mixed with the fresh holly that he grew specially for Christmas. I've never seen pictures of how the mistletoe grows, thanks.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of mistletoe being brought down by shooting it!I think that's how people sometimes used to get rid of magpie nests - magpies here are cruel birds - taking other baby birds
DeleteMy dad was an excellent shot. No mean magpies here, but he had an airgun [noise only] that he'd use to scare squirrels off the birdfeeders. He fed the squirrels and it irked him when they were so greedy they stole the birds' food.
DeleteApparently you need mature berries to almost guarantee success and there for have to wait till April time. Mistletoe berries on plants collected for Christmas are too young. But as you say give it a go, that's what my ethos is.
ReplyDelete