Although pines are the traditional Christmas tree, they can cause an allergic reaction for many people.
Instead, grow your state’s native Christmas tree or bush to get bright and cheerful blooms in summer.
Queensland
Calanthe triplicata is known as Christmas orchid, and is an evergreen that’s ideal for pots. It grows in heavy shade in moist soil, producing white flowers on 1.5m long spikes in summer.
Calanthe triplicata, also known as, Christmas orchid
New South Wales
Ceratopetalum gummiferum is a shrub that grows to 5m high and 1m wide. It features white star-like spring blooms and red calyxes in summer. It prefers full sun in well-drained soil.
Ceratopetalum gummiferum, also known as, The NSW Christmas bush
Victoria
Prostanthera lasianthos can be either a shrub or small tree, growing from 2-10m tall. It has white, pink or mauve blooms and grows in heavy shade or full sun.
Prostanthera lasianthos, also known as, The Victorian Christmas bush
Tasmania
Blandfordia punicea, known as Christmas bells, produces 10mm long red, bell-shaped flowers with yellow tips. The flower stalks grow to 1m high, and it prefers full sun in sandy soil.
Blandfordia punicea, also known as, Tasmanian Christmas bell
South Australia
Bursaria spinosa is a hardy shrub or small tree growing from 3-10m tall. It produces masses of white flowers in late spring and summer, and thrives in light shade in well-drained soil.
Bursaria spinosa also known as, Native Blackthorn and Christmas Bush
Western Australia
Nuytsia floribunda is a tree that grows to 10m tall, producing bright-orange summer blooms.It’s frost-resistant, likes sun and is semi-parasitic, so it needs grass as a host.
Nuytsia floribunda, also known as, Western Australian Christmas Tree
All images: Alamy