The classic red star-shaped plant is still the best-selling poinsettia in Britain. The buying public in the UK has a choice of plant sizes and sometimes the option of creamy white or soft pink poinsettias. Poinsettia breeders are creating new plants in a range of colours and also with different leaf shapes, and these hybrids are rapidly gaining in popularity across Europe. But will we ever go as far as painting our poinsettias?
In the US they have been painting their poinsettias all sorts of colours, and recent articles in their Acres Online newsletter would suggest that this trend is far from dead. Painted poinsettias are offered in a whole palette of colours and effects, giving customers the option of toning their plant with their home decor.
Painting also provides the option of more bespoke poinsettias - in the colours of your local sports team for example. In Wisconsin, Green Bay Packers fans can currently buy themselves a fairly tasteful green and gold poinsettia. They are even being marketed as 'Pack-settias'.
Could this catch on in the UK?
Could we see nice blue 'Pensioners-settias' for Chelsea fans, or blue 'Pompey-settias' for followers of Portsmouth? What about a gold and black 'Wolves-settia'? or a yellow and green 'Canaries-settia'? The possibilities are pretty endless.
Would it help encourage more men to buy poinsettias? What do you think? Add your comments or quips below.
- Sarah Fairhurst - 10/01/2012
Painted poinsettias?! Not in my house!