Ornamental flowers at Christmastime

Poinsettia or Euphorbia pulcherrima is an ornamental plant that is mostly in demand during holidays timespan. Poinsettia Bloom: an immigrant shrub of festivities in winter, is an ornamental plant that make Christmas festival alive by its color and brightness.

Poinsettia varieties are available in Pink, White, Mottled, Striped and deep dark Red bracts. Red variety is more in demand during Christmastime. Fresh flowers and even artificial ones and poinsettia ornaments and decors are most sought after during winter festivities.

Florists, markets and all shops are filled with these beautiful flowers and they mark the best time of the year! Its a universal flower when we think about holiday season.

History and origin of Poinsettia

Poinsettia is a favorite flower in many countries, with star shaped, bright colored petals and is an important holiday bloom. History dates back its use centuries ago in 17th century in Mexico, by Franciscan priest, for a religious precession.

It is called “Flame Leaf” in Central America. Also “Flower of the Holy Night” or “Flores de Noche Buena”.

Poinsettias are native to Mexico and Central America and were supposed to brought to Americas by US Minister to Mexico, Mr. Joel R. Poinsett in late 1820s. Poinsettia flowers were named after this esteemed botanist, who introduced these beautiful flowers to floriculture in United States, by sending cuttings of Poinsettias, to his home in Charleston, South Carolina.

Poinsettias grow in humid and moist, wet, wooden ravine and rocky hillsides. They bloom around Oct to December time for around 40 days and need strict light and dark light hours to bloom in required shade of color. They require 13–16 hours of uninterrupted darkness to attain a proper hue of color.

Poinsettias from potted plants to your own garden

Poinsettias can be looked after carefully and may be transferred in late March to your own Garden when Fear of frost has gone down.

Cut the poinsettias half way when the colored bracts are still intact and place them in garden soil in a sunny and well drained location.

Make sure they are not exposed to artificial lights and winds and frost. They can be best grown in greenhouse or controlled conditions. Temperature should not go below 65 degrees.

There are many legends associated with Poinsettia being a flower of Christmastime and flower deciphering Glory of God, around it. How the wild weeds turned into bright Red, star shaped, Holy flowers of Poinsettias, are the favorite Christmas time stories. These and other such tales are famous among family, friends and children. They communicate these stories to younger generations as tradition, when they gather around in homes, during holiday times in all Glory to God!

Glory To God in The Highest