Mistletoe

We sell mistletoe by the bunch, another Christmas tradition. The myths that surround this plant stem from its cultivation. Early man was confused by its green appearance on trees that were otherwise dormant during winter. The belief that it was spread by lightning or grew where certain birds roosted added to the early myths surrounding mistletoe. It only occurs naturally, that is, man has not found a way of cultivating it on a commercial basis. It does limited harm to the tree that it inhabits and in England has become less common as many fruit orchad s have been "grubbed" up.

European mistletoe (Viscum album) is greenish in appearance and has white flowers and berries. The North American variety Phoradendron flavescens) is native to North America and grows as a parasite on trees along the eastern seaboard.

See our short history of mistletoe.

Our mistletoe is collected using a long pole, rather than ladders, and it is all British grown.