Christmas in full bloom

Traditional Christmas plants such as snow-on-the-mountain, poinsettia and Christmas candles are no longer as prominent on the Barbadian landscape as in years past.
Horticulturalist Anthony Hunte said this was due to increased artificial lighting in Barbados, as those plants needed the darkness of the shorter days associated with the end of the year to “shock” them into bloom.
One Barbadian, Pam Gibbs of Bridgefield, St Thomas, has no problems growing her snow-on-the-mpountain. She said she grew it in front her home as a reminder of her late mother, who loved the small, white flowers. She said she normally trimmed the plant at the end of December and watched it grow throughout the year. (CA)