The Charm of Poinsettias in Christmas and Holiday Season

Ishrath — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 15:20:02 +0000

Bright and Gorgeous Poinsettia Plant Foliage Perfect for Christmas

Poinsettia (botanically known as Euphorbia Pulcherrima) is one of the most beautiful gift of nature to man for the festive season. No other plant has these lovely Christmasy colors making it best suited for gifting, decoration and more. In effort to go green this Christmas, you can give the present of a a live poinsettia plant to your loved ones.

There are plenty of opinions on Poinsettia plant’s association with Christmas. While one school of thought believes it to resemble the Star of Bethlehem, the other bases itself in Mexican legend of a poor girl who offered a weed to Jesus as a Christmas present, and it blossomed into bright red colored poinsettias. Since they bloom in December, their timing makes it a holiday season favorite. Perhaps, most of the holiday season colors such as green, bright red, yellow, etc have been borrowed from poinsettias.

Poinsettia Table Centerpieces and Floral Arrangements

Poinsettia Foliage in Glass Bowls (Pix Credit: Gene Bussell @ Southern Living)

Burst of crimson red midst green leaves and the bright yellow flowers in the middle offers great creative options to the decorators making it the best choice for you Xmas holiday decorations, table centerpieces and more. These colors are happy, earthy, gorgeous and very festive.

Design Choices with Poinsettia (Pix Credit: Domino)

But the best poinsettia arranmgent is done by grouping this plant with other plants in a large container as it is done here

Arrange Poinsettia grouped with other plants (Pix Credit: Southern Living)

Its best to club bright blooming poinsettia with delicate green leaves as its done here

Poinsettia with Poison Ivy Strikes the Striking Balance (Pix Credit: Avante Gardens)

Poinsettias are so striking by themselves that they stand out even in simplest of arrangement such as this one from IdeasInBlume

Squared or Cubed - Poinsettia Rocks (Pix Credit: IdeasInBlume)

Poinsettia potted with other plants (Pix Credit: Bill McClung)

White pillar candles or honey colored candles go best against these gorgeous bright colors. For a simple table arrangement, arranger the bed of poinsettia with green colored leaves on the periphery, followed by the red colored leaves, and group the yellow buds in the center. The arrangement can be circular, horizontal or squarish. Use white colored table cloth which is neatly ironed. Place the pillar candles in the center or in accordance with the flower arrangement shape.

Dinner Table Centerpiece with Poinsettia Floral Arrangement and Pillar Candles (Pix Credit: Jeff Lewis)

It is best to use poinsettias in table or other design arrangements only after searing their stems.

How to sear and seal the stems of poinsettia:

Light a candle.
Slice the bottom part of the stem with a sharp knife or blade and plug the oozing sap with paper towel or cloth.
Hold the cut end over the candle flame.
The sap, as it gets heated boils or bubbles over the flame.
Remove it on few seconds or when the sap does not ooze anymore.
Place the stems in your arrangements with adequate water as Poinsettias seared stems suck up more water.
If the red leaves of poinsettia and its floral area is upright and taut even after an hour, it means you have seared the stems right.If not, slice out some more part of the stem and sear it.

Some myth busting here:
No, poinsettias are not poisonous.
No, the red coloured part of the plant is not a flower but the bract like structures are its leaves.

There are so many ways in which Poinsettias can be arranged, displayed and enjoyed that a single post would not be enough. Its best left to ones creativity and aesthetics sense to make the most of the plant available to you. While it is mostly a lanky thin plant, bunching it up with other options such as plants, twigs, candles, paper, lanterns, etc, brings out its striking beauty.

BTW, December 12th is National Poinsettia Day in United States (what timing to write this post). Let me know if you have something exciting with these lovely plants and blooms. I would love to add more pictures of this festive and lovely plant.

Marigold Flowers and White Candles make an Exotic Floral Centerpiece

Ishrath — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:33:25 +0000

Bright Sunny Yellow Marigold Flowers with Hibiscus Leaves - An Exotic Candle Arrangement

Marigold is commonly known in India as Genda Phool, Banti Poo, etc. The striking aspect of this lovely flower is the burst of color radiating for the clustered petals. Even one flower is enough to add striking color to any floral arrangement. It may not smell as great as other flowers but helps keep many insects and pests at bay from your arrangments and thats one of the reasons these flowers are used in abundance on the traditional doorways and house entrances.

It is one of the hardiest flowering plants that needs minimal care. Compared to other flowering species, these can survive in tough climatic, soil and water conditions and need minimum tending. These features make marigold a common occurance in many Indian gardens, homes and road sides.

Marigold is very easy to propogate. Each petal is actually a flower by itself and dries up to become a seed. All you have to do it to let the flower dry on the plant. Once completely dry, collect the dried flower bits and store them for future use. More often then not, you find many marigold flowers around the mother plant as many seeds drop off.

Marigolds are widely used in India for many cultural, traditional and religious festivities. You cannot miss this striking flower midst celebration. From weddings, poojas, housewarming, to many other ceremoines, Marigold brings in the sunny cheer and festive atmosphere to otherwise drab areas. These flowers now find themselves pitted against Oriental Lilies and Carnations in many floral decorations.

For this simple table centerpiece arrangment, you need a handful of marigold blooms, candles, florist foam and green leaves.

Easy Floral Centerpiece made with Rich Indian Marigold, Hibiscus Leaves, White Candles and Love

Use a florists foam to give a good foundation to your marigold floral arranngement. Insert the flowers and the candles.

You can either inserts the leaves or just place the leaves stalk next to the flowers; either way it is strikingly simple.

You could use two tones of marigold flowers, though single tone is always the best.

Here is a great article on Marigold Flowers talking about its practical, spiritual and mythological significance.

Marigold may be a poor man’s rose but is deeply rooted in many ancient references.

Exotic Marigold Flowers and White Candles as Table Centerpiece

Enjoy your festivities, dinner, floral arrangements, and more… there is no end to imagination with flowers.

Wandering Mist » floral arrangement

The Charm of Poinsettias in Christmas and Holiday Season

Marigold Flowers and White Candles make an Exotic Floral Centerpiece