_With Christmas right around the corner I thought I would share some information about a plant we will all be seeing a lot of very soon, the poinsettia. Poinsettias come in a variety of colors from traditional red and white to dyed purple, blue and even green and gold.

Common Name: Poinsettia
Botanical Name: Euphorbia pulcherrima

With its beautiful star-shape, poinsettia is a popular Christmas flower. In Central America it is called the "Flame Leaf" or "Flower of the Holy Night". A native of Mexico, it was brought here over a hundred years ago by Dr. Joel Poinsett, the first US ambassador to Mexico. Most of the poinsettias used these days come from California.

The legend of the poinsettia comes from Mexico. It tells of a girl named Maria and her little brother Pablo. They were very poor but always looked forward to the Christmas festival. Each year a large manger scene was set up in the village church, and the days before Christmas were filled with parades and parties. The two children loved Christmas but were always saddened because they had no money to buy presents. They especially wished that they could give something to the church for the Baby Jesus. But they had nothing.

One Christmas Eve, Maria and Pablo set out for church to attend the service. On their way they picked some weeds growing along the roadside and decided to take them as their gift to the Baby Jesus in the manger scene. Of course they were teased by other children when they arrived with their gift, but they said nothing for they knew they had given what they could. Maria and Pablo began placing the green plants around the manger and miraculously, the green top leaves turned into bright red petals, and soon the manger was surrounded by beautiful star-like flowers and so we see them today.

Interesting Fact: The Poinsettia is NOT poisonous. It is mildly irritating to the skin or stomach and may sometimes cause diarrhea and vomiting if eaten. Sap in the eye may even cause temporary blindness but no fatalities have ever been documented. While it is true that the plant is not very toxic, those sensitive to latex may suffer an allergic reaction and it is therefore not advisable to bring the plants into the home of sensitive individuals.

The origin of this myth could be found in the fact that many plants of the spurge genus are indeed toxic. This misconception was spread by a 1919 urban legend of a two-year-old child dying after consuming a poinsettia leaf.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Why not WOW your guests and set a stunning table for your holiday feast. A festive centerpiece is sure to make all your guest ooh and aah. A beautiful arrangement can be homemade and doesn't have to cost a lot. Shop at your local dollar/thrift store or you can use things you have laying around. Some great items might include: Small pumpkins, Gourds, Silk Fall Leaves, Straw, Wheat, Indian corn, Apples, Pears, Cranberries, Branches, Candles, Pine cones, or Wicker Baskets. Get creative and see what you can find! Our inspiration board has a few ideas to get you started.  When arranging, start with larger items and fill in spaces with smaller items. Group like items together for the most emphasis. Of course you can always call your local florist for some help. Name cards and napkin rings are also nice touches to make your guest feel extra special. There are so many possibilities for your Thanksgiving table.

So you have been busy planning and making arrangements for your wedding. Now you find yourself ready to start planning you wedding flowers but are not sure how or where to begin. Take a moment to watch this short video we put together. It will walk you through, step by step, on how to begin planning your wedding flowers.