Mistletoe is a parasite of trees, and can only grow on tree branches.

Its unique combination of evergreen leaves, peculiar white berries and habit of growing high up in trees have led to many unusual traditions, including our kissing custom at Christmas

It can grow on many tree species, but its favourite host is apple, where it can grow prolifically.

This is rather convenient of it, as it can be readily harvested from apples (most other host trees are much too tall!)

It is also fussy about where it grows geographically, with most of the British mistletoe plants occurring only in the south-west midlands - in Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Somerset.

Tenbury Wells, being famous for its Apple Orchards, and sitting right in the middle of mistletoe's favourite area (on the Worcestershire/Herefordshire border) is therefore uniquely placed to be the centre of the UK mistletoe harvest.

For more information about mistletoe, visit the Mistletoe Information Gateway pages.

Where to buy local Mistletoe

Tenbury Wells mistletoe is gathered from orchards across the three counties of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

The traditional Tenbury mistletoe auctions sell direct to wholesalers and the public, on three Tuesdays in late November and early December - details are on the the Events page and available from Nick Champion, the auctioneer.

Some online outlets, selling retail packs direct to the public, as well wholesale boxes, are listed below, not in any particular order:

Court Farm Mistletoe
(kissmemistletoe.co.uk)
Organically-grown Mistletoe from Eastham Court Farm, just outside Tenbury

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The English Mistletoe Shop
(buy.mistletoe.org.uk)
Run by mistletoe expert Jonathan Briggs, harvesting around Tenbury and across the 3 Counties.