Good Cheer

Put julep cups, goblets, small trophies, and any other

silver containers you may have around the house to

good use by tucking a cut poinsettia or two into each

one,

right.

They're especially pretty as a collection along

a mantel (as long as it's not above a real fireplace that

produces leaf-destroying heat). Don't have any heirloom

silver around? Take a can of chrome spray paint and turn

inexpensive containers into look-alikes.

Nature’s Own Ornament

Poinsettias are a naturally showy way to enliven a

Christmas tree. Insert them into small floral vials filled

with water. (You may want to enlarge the vial opening

with a pencil first so no delicate stems snap.)

Here, they've been tucked into a 3-foot Canadian

spruce,

below.

With trees that have dense, tight foliage,

such as spruce and balsam, you can get away with

simply tucking the vials into the foliage. For trees with

looser foliage, such as pine, wire the vials to branches

with florist's wire. Check water levels daily.

buying poinsettias:

A poinsettia is a poinsettia is a poinsettia. Whether you buy it at a discount

supermarket or an upscale florist’s shop, if it looks healthy and happy, it is. If

it’s at all droopy, don’t buy it. Once a poinsettia wilts, it doesn’t revive.

g

Choose plants that have leaves all the way to the soil line. If the plant is a

little bare on the bottom, it’s likely stressed and has been dropping leaves.

g

Check the true flowers, which are tiny and budlike and are located at the

bases of the big, colorful modified leaves (called bracts) that most people think

are the flowers. Ideally, the true flowers should be green- or red-tipped, which

means the plant is less developed. If the flowers have yellow pollen on them,

the plant won’t last as long.

g

Look for variations. Poinsettias come in all sorts of wonderful colors,

including cream, mottled or marbled pinks and peaches, peppermint-like

swirls, plum colors, and greenish-whites. Miniature poinsettias, just inches

high, also are fun.

g

Poinsettias are extremely temperature sensitive. If it’s less than 50 degrees

outside, wrap the entire plant in plastic or paper to protect it while you bring

it home. Once you’re home, keep it away from icy drafts as well as heat vents

and fireplaces.

g

Poinsettias in pots need to be kept lightly but evenly watered. Keep them

too soggy and they’ll drop leaves. If they’re too dry, they’ll wilt and won’t recover.

Best of Christmas Ideas

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