Poinsettias for Christmas

The    Poinsettia   is a species of flowering plant

indigenous to Mexico and Central America. The name "poinsettia" is after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico, who introduced the plant into the US in 1825. The plant's association with Christmas began in 16th century Mexico, where legend tells of a young girl who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus' birthday. The tale goes that the child was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them in front of the church altar. Crimson "blossoms" sprouted from the weeds and became beautiful poinsettias. From the 17th century, Franciscan friars in Mexico included the plants in their Christmas celebrations. The star-shaped leaf pattern is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem.

        One of the best displays of a variety of poinsettias at this time of the year is presented in Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago.  Traditional varieties, as well as many new, experimental varieties with new colors and shapes are shown each year.  These are a few pictures I took in Chicago.

Pale Pink Poinsettia

Spiked and Speckled Poinsettia

Holly Leafed Poinsettia

Speckled Poinsettia

Pale Pink Poinsettias

Pink and Green Poinsettia

Pink and White Poinsettias

Red Poinsettias

Frosted Pink Poinsettias

White Poinsettia

Dusty Rose and White

Pink with Variegated Leaves

Octagon Poinsettia  /  Dinnerplate Poinsettia

Palest Pink Poinsettia

Hot Pink Poinsettia

White Poinsettias

Red Poinsettias

Large White Poinsettia

Coral Red with Variegated Leaves

Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago interior


Season's  Greetings

 

John

 

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Mums and More

Interior of the Longwood Gardens Main Conservatory outside Philadelphia

for the annual Chrysanthemum Festival.  Notice the red Mum-balls and white

Mum-balls hanging from the ceiling and the Yellow Blankets of Mums on the columns.

Golden Splendor Spider Mum

Pot of Golden Splendor Spider Mums

Golden Splendor Spider Mum

Red Wing Spoon Mums

Lavender Lucy Spoon Mums.  Notice the tubular petals which open out into spoon-like forms.

White Mum-ball.  Two dozen of these four foot spheres hang from the ceiling

on cables with pulleys.  There are sixteen plants in each ball, and they are

lowered to the ground each morning to be watered.  They come in four colors.

Yellow Mum-Ball

Janet Baker Spider Mums

Pot of Janet Baker Spider Mums

Dome of 500 Yellow Mums

This is a single plant with one stem and one root system, but it has been specially trained.

White Starlite Mums

Pink and White Thistle Mums - quite small

Yellow Thistle Mums

White Thistle Mums

Pink Rain Mum

Exotic White Mum

Pale Pink William Holden Mums.

Bed of William Holden Mums

Pink Anemone Tree Mums.  This is actually just six mum plants which have

been pruned and pinched so that they have a long stalk and then a large cluster

of flowers at the end.  There were also some in white.

Gold and copper "Martine" mum.

The Camellia Greenhouse had a variety of camellias.

A red and white camellia.

A pair of orchids.

Pink Nerines and White Marguerite Daisies along the Garden Path.

Chenille Plant

Bed of Dusky Queen Spider Mums beneath chenille plant.

Dusky Queen Spider Mum

There was also an exhibit of bonsai trees in the conservatory.

This maple is 45 years old.

Pink Flair Spider Mum

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Ball of pink Anemone Mums four feet in diameter.

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