Poinsettia Care
Rosie Lerner, Purdue Consumer Horticulture Specialist

The poinsettia, the most popular holiday plant, is best known as the plant with bright red flowers on a green background. But what most people think of as the flowers are actually colored bracts or leaves, which surround a small, yellowish-green structure that is the true flower.

Today's poinsettia is much improved from the poinsettia of even five years ago, thanks to plant breeders. Although red is still the most popular color, pink-, salmon- and white-colored bracts are also available. Even speckled pink, red and white bracts are now available in cultivars, such as Jingle Bells and Monet. Even more recent on the scene include those with variegated green and yellow leaves, bracts that have sharply pointed lobes that resemble holly leaves and a few that have ruffled bracts.

Full Story, http://www.extension.purdue.edu/gardentips/indoor/poinsettia.html

Harvest Holiday Greenery from Your Landscape
Rosie Lerner, Purdue Consumer Horticulture Specialist

Give your home the festive mood of the holidays by bringing a bit of your landscape evergreens indoors. Wreaths, swags, garlands and centerpieces can all be made from plants that are commonly found in the home landscape.

Some of the best materials to cut include balsam and Douglas fir, yew, holly, boxwood and juniper. Pines boughs are attractive in arrangements, but this is not a good time to prune them. If pine branches cannot be cut from your tree inconspicuously, look for boughs at nurseries, garden centers, florists or Christmas tree sales. Needles of hemlock and spruce drop easily and should not be used for indoor decorations.

Full Story, http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/holiday_greenery.html

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More Holiday Information

• Holly
• Mistletoe
• Holiday Wreaths
• Holiday Greens (PDF)
• Living Christmas Trees (PDF)
  

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