Christmas Colors
White poinsettias, for the traditionalist
Still stuffed from your Thanksgiving feast? Me, too. That’s why I’ve got an easy question for all you gardeners today. What’s the most popular flower sold at Christmastime?
That’s right: the poinsettia. According to growers, about 75% of us buy red poinsettias for our holiday decorations. But why settle for red, when there are so many beautiful varieties out there?
Marbled poinsettias
One of the newer poinsettias on the market is ‘Ice Punch,’ currently available only at Home Depot stores. The bracts are a familiar shade of rich red, but they have frosty white centers and a collar of dark green leaves—very pretty. Breeders say that ‘Ice Punch’ is tough enough to last through the holiday season even in a hot, dry home. Click here to see what the fuss is about: http://www.pauleckepoinsettias.com/icepunch.html
Another new beauty is ‘Plum Pudding,’ said to be the first true purple poinsettia. I also like ‘Marblestar,’ a bi-color with salmon pink and white bracts, and ‘Jingle Bells,’ which has red-toned bracts splashed with cream.
If you’re a non-traditionalist, you can find poinsettias that have been sprayed with paint and glitter to add dazzle to your decor. Look for plants in shades of blue, lavender, gold, and silver, or create your own rainbow hues with floral spray paint.
Yesterday I found some lovely 4-inch potted poinsettias for just a few dollars. Wouldn’t a holiday plant like that make a nice gift for a school bus driver, a shut-in, your hair dresser or babysitter? Make the gift even better by tucking in a ticket to the 2009 Southeastern Flower Show. Tickets are available online now.
cheers,
Lynn
Tags: poinsettias