Mixed Poinsettias

The poinsettia was brought to the United States from Mexico around 1828 by Joel Roberts Poinsett. An avid gardener and amateur botanist, Poinsett was appointed as the first US Minister to Mexico in 1825. While in Mexico, Poinsett observed this species flowering and sent plants back to his greenhouse in Charleston. Until that time, this species was unknown outside of its native range of Mexico and Guatemala, where it was referred to as flor de nochebuena (Christmas Eve flower). Once introduced to the U.S., it quickly gained the common name poinsettia, but is also known by many other common names including Christmas flower, Christmas star, lobster plant, painted leaf, and Mexican flame leaf.

This species has a reputation for being extremely poisonous. While there is little doubt that the milky latex of poinsettias can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, mucus membranes, or when consumed, to the digestive system, poinsettia is apparently one of the less toxic species of Euphorbia. Of reported human exposure, there were no fatalities.

Source:  The Neighborhood Gardner, University of Florida

Poinsettia is toxic to cats and dogs and causes gastric distress.

 

 

Last week I found this planter of mixed poinsettias at Home Depot. I love the mix of white and red flowers.  This isn’t a usual combination and I don’t know why.  The mix is stunning. I put it on the dining table.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Holidays!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For care of poinsettias in your home, see Red Poinsettias at Christmas

 

 

 

 

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Carol

I was raised in Tennessee but have lived in Florida for many years. Love my small home in the Tampa Bay area and its developing garden. My decorating style is eclectic - some vintage, some cottage, all with a modern flair. Pursuing a healthier lifestyle. Spent many years in social services but am happily retired.

49 thoughts to “Mixed Poinsettias”

  1. A pretty and popular Christmas flower! Another fun fact: In 1967 the Norwegian gardener Thormod Hegg (his nursery is situated close to where I live) launched a variety that puts side shoots without topping under the name ‘Annette Hegg’. This sort is later spread all over the world.

  2. I love Poinsettias, they scream Christmas to me, but with kitties…that’s a hard pass in the house. But I do enjoy looking at them.
    Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade

  3. Carol – poinsettias always bring such a festive air to any home! Thanks for sharing this unique combo with everyone at Mosaic Monday!!!

  4. Lovely blooms in Christmas time, Dawn. I like them so much but never buy again… I have no green thumb, we say here in Germany. Therefore my Poinsettia go withered and died after two or three weeks. Hope, you have a green thumb…

    …happy MosaicMonday

  5. I like your festive display with the poinsettia. Interesting facts and I didn’t know it was a species of euphorbia. Happy day to you!

  6. Hello Carol,

    The poinsettias are beautiful. They make a room so festive! Take care, enjoy your day! Wishing you a happy new week!

  7. My guess is that the mixed colors of the Poinsettias is a 2020 surprise (reminiscent of the stark contrasts this year? lol They look excellent on your table. Hope they will last a long time! (In California some people plant their poinsettias in their yard after Christmas! Many thanks for sharing this delightful treasure with All Seasons! Have a bright and beautiful week, Jesh

    1. I’ve tried planting them but do not have any luck growing them. None of my gardening friends can grow them either. I did once see a gorgeous bush of poinsettias further south on the west coast on Santibel Island. It was gorgeous.

  8. I love seeing all the different varieties of poinsettias around but never think to buy any. I got out of the habit when my boys were little and we had kittens that liked to eat plants but I always like the one that were white in the middle with reddish/pink tints around each of the petals.

    1. they are hard to grow – no one I know in central Florida has had luck planting them. I’ve planted mine several times and they do not do well. They really need zone 10 in south Florida – can’t tolerate freezes.

  9. The things I learn! I’m glad you share your photos and information.

    Your link at ‘My Corner of the World’ this week is an exciting addition! Thanks for joining us!

  10. They look lovely! I’m not sure that I’ve seen a white poinsettia before. My mum buys me one every year and they usually die pretty quickly, but I still have mine from 2016 and 2019. They don’t look great now, but they’re still alive, so I’m keeping them! #mysundayphoto

    1. Try keeping them outside in the summer. They are tropical and like sun and heat. You probably need to re-pot them too.

    1. It’s not the chill but the decreasing days of light that make the leaves turn red. You have to put the plant in a dark room starting in the fall and increase dark time as each day we naturally have less daylight.

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