Poinsettias have long been the most popular Christmas plant and – thanks to careful breeding and development from the major growers in recent years – they’ve shaken off their old-fashioned image and are now available in a fantastic array of colour varieties to suit contemporary interior settings.
Not only a favourite pot plant, poinsettias are also stunning as a cut flower, outshining most other winter bloomers. With their huge mock flowers and extra-long vase life, the Christmas Stars are ideal for modern floral arrangements. Cut poinsettias will keep for up to two weeks in fresh water if the stems are placed in hot water (approx. 60 degrees) for a few seconds immediately after cutting and then immediately placed in cold water to stop the sap from leaking.
Mini bouquets of cut poinsettias and selected dried florals are also a great way to decorate Christmas presents. If you use poinsettias to decorate gifts or adorn table place settings, simply wrap the end of the stem with sticky tape.
Images by Stars For Europe
Advent Blush
In this magical Advent wreath in romantic blush tones, cut poinsettias are placed close together in a foam wreath. The showy bracts in pink, rose and apricot create a firework display of colour, whilst Christmas baubles and decorations in the centre bring the perfect festive touches. The poinsettias are teamed with coloured dried flowers, such as glixia (starflower), and grasses such as Bunny’s Tail (lagurus), as well as long (sprayed) pussy willow stems. Then matching dusky pink taper candles are added.
The picture on the right shows that simple green living and bold floral creations don’t have to be mutually exclusive and the pink cut poinsettias are real showstoppers. Together with fresh berried eucalyptus and winterberry (ilex verticillata) branches, coloured and natural miscanthus and Bunny’s Tail (lagurus) grasses, they make a chic display that’s guaranteed to create a festive vibe in the run-up to Christmas.
Winter Blues
Here the combination of subtle blues, greys and other natural tones accentuate the glow of the white and cream poinsettias for a cool Scandi-chic look. With its deliberate simplicity, the table decor cleverly echoes the style of the ceiling installation, without distracting from the focal point in the room itself. A similar arrangement of cut poinsettias and dried florals will make a stylish and sophisticated table feature.
In similar hues, this artistically arranged Advent wreath of cut poinsettias, echeverias (succulents) and mixed dried florals will wow guests this Christmas. With a foam wreath base and a bit of skill, you can make this arrangement yourself. Important tip: Soak the foam thoroughly before inserting the cut poinsettias.
Colourful Table Settings
You can achieve amazing table settings candy-coloured poinsettias and a few well-chosen porcelain pieces which offset their spectacular bracts. Start off by welcoming guests to your Christmas table with gorgeous favours decorated with a cut poinsettia and a sprig of berries at each setting.
Soft pastel shades will make a festive table look fresh and light-hearted, no matter how lavish the decorations. Poinsettias in pink, yellow and apricot, as potted or cut flowers, exude Christmas cheer, whilst strawberry cacti and small crab apples add fresh pops of colour. Other accessories and furnishings, from the chairs to the tableware, candles and napkins, to the baubles on the tree, pick up on the colours of the star-shaped poinsettias creating a harmonious look overall.
A stunning tone-on-tone winter bouquet of cut poinsettias, ilex vericillata (winterberry) and amaryllis makes a stunning central feature.
Let them eat cake!
Colourful pastel shades, vintage and DIY are three decorative trends which come together in this beautiful cake stand.
To make this colourful decoration in a pastel candy look, you will need three plates of different sizes (e.g. dinner plate, side plate and saucer), decorative glasses, a small glass vase, ceramic or high-quality all-purpose glue, colourful mini poinsettias and small tins as planters. Here’s how:
Step 1: First work out on the order of your glasses or vases and decide whether they should be placed with the base or the opening facing upwards. Then glue the plates and glasses together one by one. Apply the glue to the base or the rim of the glass and press onto the plate until the glue is completely set. You will need three plates and two glasses for a three-tiered cake stand.
Step 2: Plant the colourful mini poinsettias in the tins and arrange them on the cake stand. Important: Make sure you wait until the glue has dried completely.
Step 3: Finally, as a finishing touch, glue a small glass vase on to the top plate, fill with water and place a cut poinsettia in it. Done!
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