Thumper, our pet poodle and shop dog, could usually be found snoozing behind the tallest, church bound specimen s in the corner. The shop was awash in the holiday spirit, a magical place where fields of red poinsettias sprouted after Thanksgiving animated penguins decorated trees and skated outside an igloo in the front window, and the heady scent of paperwhite narcissus filled the air. Water babbled from a miniature waterfall where goldfish swam surrounded by cyclamen, amaryllis, Christmas cactus, potted hoops trained with ivy and even Norfolk island pines decorated to look like miniature Christmas trees - plants to conjure up the holiday spirit in anyone. The botanical offerings of the holiday season haven't changed much from those early years in mother's store and neither has their care. Most Christmas plants are easy to grow and will reward with years of seasonable blossom if cared for correctly.
Poinsettias are probably the favorite and most purchased of all holiday plants.
It's possible to find a poinsettia for every decorating scheme with ranging from brilliant red to creamy white and new varieties like 'Jingle Bells' displaying pinkish red bractf flecked with dark red spots. Regardless of color, all poinsettias prefer cool locations away from chilly drafts and heating vents. Colors remain intense if the plant is displayed in bright indirect sunlight. The soil should never be allowed to dry out between waterings but should not be saturated either. Cyclamen are perhaps the most delicate and unusual of Christmas plant offerings.