working poinsettias:

g

Few, if any, florists carry

poinsettias by the stem. Buy potted

plants and cut them yourself. The

branches are a bit delicate and

tend to snap, so work carefully.

g

When cut, poinsettias produce

a milky sap. Set the stem in water

for 30 minutes to allow the sap to

wash away. Your flower will last up

to two weeks this way.

g

Be careful with the sap.

It’s a myth that poinsettias are

poisonous, but the sap can irritate

sensitive skin.

g

The more water poinsettias get,

the better. Surrounding the stem

with as much moisture as possible

will help it last longer. Poinsettias

in a vase with their stems

submerged almost up to their

necks are likely to last up to two

weeks longer than ones with just

a couple of inches of stem inserted

into wet florist’s foam.

Peppered with Berries

Pepper berries, available from florists,

look wonderful when interspersed

with poinsettias.

Branching Out

Create a tree that reflects the spare beauty of winter by cutting several long

branches from trees and shrubs,

above.

Arrange the branches in a large urn

or other container, anchoring them with blocks of foam or pebbles.

Remove the hanger top from an ornament so it's open. Cut two 7-inch

lengths of 1

/s-inch ribbon, and glue the ends of the ribbon pieces to the

sides of the opening so they can be tied and used to hang the ornament

from the branch. Use a quick, fast-drying waterproof adhesive.

Set the ball atop a small drinking glass to hold it steady and fill the

bottom fourth of it with water; insert the poinsettia. Tie it onto the tree.