Who says poinsettias are blase? Well, a lot of people actually. I was one of those people many years ago, but have become a huge fan. Huge!
I love them on antique postcards…..
Post Cards
Poinsettia postcard
Hand Crafted Items
My mom crocheted this gorgeous doily for me.
On antique pillowcases……(my grandma Eldred embroidered this)
Embroidered poinsettia
Christmas ornaments…..
Poinsettia ornament
Look at this retro arrangement, I bought at a party YEARS ago…..on a doily crocheted by my mom.
On a clock…..(this is up year-round at my house…)
Fabric and tablecloths
and antique hankies……who could blow their nose on these?!
Poinsettia painting
Candleholders
and a tumbler to drink out of….
This year I found a hand-painted plate at a thrift store. (I’ve since found a few more….)
Love this antique tray and candleholder.
Living poinsettias
And those are just the non-living kind of poinsettia decorations. We haven’t even talked about living poinsettias yet. They previously only in red, white, and pink. But now, they are speckled, spotted, painted, and more.
Belle Isle Conservatory
Living poinsettias are used to decorate all kinds of things including this beautiful cart at the Belle Isle Conservatory in Detroit, as well as the tree of poinsettias.
Poinsettia filled cart at Belle Isle
Poinsettia tree at Belle Isle
Three colors at Belle Isle
Pretty much, I love them on everything, no matter what it is. And if they are so blase, why are they the top-selling flowering potted plant in America? I can see why!
History
So where did poinsettias, Euphorbia pulcherrima, come from? How did they become such an icon of Christmas? It all began in the 1820’s when the first United States Ambassador to Mexico, southern plantation owner, and botanist, Joel Roberts Poinsett came upon a beautiful wildflower. He sent cuttings back to his greenhouse in South Carolina, and the rest is history. Who wouldn’t love a brilliant red potted plant at Christmas time?
Pink poinsettia
Interesting Facts
Some interesting facts about poinsettias.- Poinsettias are the #1 flowering potted plant sold in America, with over $250 million dollars in sales annually. Women make up 80% of sales. Red is the #1 color, followed by white, and pink. (These are statistics from a while ago….) They are not poisonous, contrary to popular belief. National Poinsettia Day is December 12, to honor the day Joel Poinsett died in 1851.
Poinsettias have come a long way since the day Joel Poinsett discovered them and sent them to America. I wonder if he would even recognize the beautiful, compact, colorful plants that we have today. I think the painted orange, purple, and blue ones would blow him out of the water. They have an interesting history in America, and I hope you look at them a little differently now and next year decide to purchase one (or two or three) for your home during the holidays.
Happy Holidays!
Beautiful collection of Poinsettias Lisa!
Thanks Bren! I do love them!
I have 1 Poinsettia that is now 3 yrs old and just the other day I bought 4 8″ potted for a $1 each so they will go out in the shade garden in the spring where they will happily grow big. I do love them too
Renee, you must live in a warm climate. Mine are of course, houseplants here in Michigan. Good luck with your poinsettias!