A plant is the festive gift that keeps on giving. Gardening guru Helen Young picks her favourites.

Poinsettia

Flaming red blooms are just the thing for Christmas giving. They'll last for weeks indoors in a sunlit spot with occasional watering - and can then be planted outside.

Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis)

If you want to make an elegant impression, this is a superb choice. Buy one with buds just opening and the display will last a month or two. In a bright spot (but not direct sun), it may flower again; just take the tips off the old flower spikes and water sparingly. And apply a little soluble fertiliser twice a year.

Hydrangea

Cool-climate gardeners love this plant for its generous mopheads of flowers from early summer and large, lush leaves. Choose from the Endless Summer collection, the only hydrangeas that offer repeated flowering, or the new Mai-Ko range, which features bicoloured blooms.

Dwarf kangaroo paw

Specially bred for sunny patio pots, this compact native will appeal to those who appreciate something a little different. Look for pink and white forms as well as red and sunset hues. It flowers profusely but needs little care and is intended to last just a year or two, so advanced gardening skills are not required.

Gardenia

For lovers of fine fragrance, gardenias can't be beaten. With its intoxicating scent, lustrous foliage and waxy white blooms, this plant symbolises Christmas holidays for me. After summer, it can be planted in a sunny garden bed in mild to warm climates, or potted up in a larger container. Regular water and fertiliser will keep those blooms coming.

Potted herbs

A pot of mixed herbs makesa welcome gift for keen cooks. Garden centres sell ready-made ones, but it's easy to create your own. Choose a pot or wide bowl at least 40cm across. Fill it with quality potting mix and plant three or four favourite herbs. Parsley, chives, rocket and basil make a great summer mix.

Mandevilla

Know someone who delights in bold colour? Choose a mandevilla in pink, scarlet, ruby or crimson. It does best in a pot as it doesn't like cold, wet soil. The recipient can either grow it as a light climber or tip-prune the long tendrils to create a spilling shrub that bears masses of flowers most of the year.