Tuesday, December 10, 2013

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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Sunday, November 24, 2013

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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