Head out to the nurseries for some auspicious plants to decorate the home with, writes Elaine Yim
IT’S the Year of the Fire Rooster and only a week away from the big day which falls next Saturday. We have come to the most exciting time of the season, which is last-minute shopping for auspicious plants and flowers.
I would like to suggest a few plants which are “basic necessities” for this season. They are available abundantly now but may be difficult to find later on.
LUCKY BAMBOO AND SUCCULENTS FOR THE TABLE TOP
The lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana), a native of West Africa, is not a real bamboo plant but looks like one, hence incorporating all the auspicious characteristics of the bamboo in Chinese culture. It is very popular during Chinese New Year as a fengshui plant believed to bring good fortune and prosperity.
The bamboo-like stems are usually contorted into various shapes which can be straight, spiral or curly and sold in loose stalks or arranged into fanciful table-top gardens. The number and length of the stalks in an arrangement can vary with the numbers denoting various meanings e.g. two for double happiness, three is the fu-lu-shou (denoting prosperity, longevity and power), five for fortune coming in the five directions of north-south-east-west-centre, six or luk-fook for prosperity, eight for wealth, nine for something everlasting or infinite and 10 for perfection and completeness.
Four is taboo as it signifies death. Several stalks are bound together, woven, braided or tiered and arranged into lucky shapes such as the pineapple, wealthy merchant ship, lantern or pyramid of success.
The most interesting arrangements and best quality of lucky bamboo is found during Chinese New Year, hence this is the best time to buy them. Lucky bamboo can be grown in a container of water or with sand, ornamental pebbles, stones or marbles. Those placed in decorative vases and filled with only tap or filtered water can last the whole year or longer. Just remember to change water every few days.
Succulents from the Crassulaceae family such as Crassula ovata (Jade Plant), Sedum burrito (Donkey Tail), Sedum mexicanum (Mexican Stonecrop), Sedum sarmentosum (Gold Moss), Sedum spp (other species) are drought-tolerant plants which thrive on minimal care.
Their thick juicy leaves are filled with water, the symbol of wealth, and they look like precious jade. These are available as single potted plants or a mixture of succulents, grown as miniature table-top gardens complete with red ribbons and auspicious ornaments.
PUSSY WILLOWS
Pussy willows are harbingers of spring to herald the new year. They are usually sold in bundles or potted as bonsais. The flowers, which are called catkins are furry and white but some are dyed in various colours. Pussy willows are used as money plants adorned with auspicious ornaments, gold ingots, red packets, etc. Its Chinese name yin liu (which means silver willow) also sounds like “money flowing”. It is considered very lucky when they sprout new shoots and leaves.
Undyed ones tend to sprout leaves more easily. When their catkins elongate, it is a sign that the flowers are opening. The dyed ones are more suitable for dried flower arrangements.
FORTUNE FRUIT TREES
When you go to any nursery or garden centre, you will see many citrus trees laden with fruits about to ripen. These plants are usually displayed near the entrance. This is exactly how you should display them in your home or business premises to usher in good luck and prosperity. Roundedness is a symbol of completeness and the citrus fruits are either called kat meaning prosperity or kum meaning gold.
The most popular ones are citrus lime trees (Citrus x microcarpa) with varieties known as the Four Seasons Lime or sei kwai kat and Dragon Lime or long tam kat. Other choices include the kumquat (C. japonica), tangerine (C. tangerina) and mandarin orange (C. reticulata).
Make sure the fruits are not over-ripe or about to fall off when you buy them. We want the fruits to ripen into gold nuggets in our homes and hang firmly on the tree throughout the 15 days of new year and not fall-off halfway. Do not cut off the top of the tree. Let it stand tall as a symbol of reaching the pinnacle of success and excellence in whatever you do.
Wish you good luck in your shopping and may you have a Happy and Prosperous Chinese New Year. Gong Xi Fa Cai!