The south Cumbrian trees may be bare and frost is now a recurring feature across the landscape, but winter is still a season for exquisite flowers.
Christmas colours and festive palettes are so exciting because they come in amazingly rich hues of greens and reds, offset with a sprig of metallic glitz. Who can fail to get excited about mid-winter flowers? Especially if you are a winter bride.
Bespoke, designer florist Lauren Hart, 25, who owns Bluebell & Ivy in Ulverston, said: "Planning ahead for a winter wedding isn't always easy, but with enough time and effort it can be spectacular.
"Obviously it depends on what vibe the bride is going for. Some prefer a more traditional and natural approach, in which case I like to go with something like ivory avalanche roses along with red ilex berries and variegated holly. Perhaps with an occasional pine cone and cinnamon sticks.
"Then you have the more glitzy winter weddings, for which I would include things like striking anemones with glittered salix. I also love to include beautiful hellebores, which are also know as the Christmas rose."
Of course, flowers are not only for winter weddings. A bouquet can be the most romantic of gifts at any time of the year and of course, plants and flowers have a very special significance during the festive season. If you are struggling for gift ideas this year then flowers will always make somebody smile.
Lauren said: "When it comes to a Christmas gifts, reds and greens are always a popular choice.
"Red Naomi roses which are a velvety texture are just perfect for Christmas. I like being creative with the greenery and introducing Christmas picks such as glittery baubles and rustic wooden Christmas trees."
The origins of Christmas trees lie in pagan times, when people used branches to decorate their homes during the winter solstice, as it made them think of the spring to come. The Romans used fir trees to decorate their temples at the festival of Saturnalia. Christians now use the Christmas tree as a sign of everlasting life with God.
Whatever your religion, when the weather outside is bitterly cold, the best thing to do is brighten up your house with greenery and ornaments. Lauren said: "This year is my first Christmas in Bluebell & Ivy, as I only opened the shop in May.
"I have gone all out with my festive decorations already. The shop is decked out with twisted hazel and golden salix hanging from the ceiling and hung little festive declarations such as glass mushrooms, mini-golden photo frames and cute winter robins.
"So far, my most popular festive items have been my exclusive mini-posy arrangements, which are designed in a decorated tin, hyacinth bulbs in a keepsake cup and my luxury door wreaths which come in a traditional circular shape as well as a more contemporary heart shape.
"My customers have also been asking me to include fresh roses in the door wreaths which look so quaint and beautiful. I have just had the honour of creating a stunning wreath for Ulverston's Eden Beauty rooms, in Soutergate, which has just celebrated its tenth birthday as a family-run business.
"Recently we also painted mini-pumpkins with metallic gold, copper and pink paints which is something a little different. Using seasonal fruit but brightening it up can add a really magical element to your autumn and winter decor."
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FACTFILE: Your guide to buying the right tree for you...
1. Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana)
The most popular tree, it won't drop its needles for the duration of the festive season and people love it because of its dense branches, uniform shape and good variety of sizes.
2. Fraser fir (Abies fraseri)
This is ideal for those with limited space, who want a real Christmas tree. It's a slim tree, so you're less likely to brush past it and knock off decorations in a smaller room, but it also has a great shape and fresh citrus scent, and its dark olive-green needles don't drop. It's likely to be more expensive than the Nordmann, and there won't be as many available as it's a more difficult tree to grow commercially.
3. Noble fir (Abies procera)
Consumers buy this tree primarily for its blue-hued needle colour and rich fragrance. It's non-drop, but is unlikely to be as uniformly shaped as the Nordmann. This tree is ideal for individuals who don't conform to conventional shapes and sizes of tree.
4. Norway spruce (Picea abies)
This is the traditionalist's tree. It may shed its needles, but what it loses in longevity it gains in scent. It's a good tree if you're putting it up last minute, or at least closer to Christmas, because it won't last as long as the more expensive, non-drop trees.
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