Local Florist Offers Tips on National Poinsettia Day

The winter holiday season is the number one floral-buying time of the year, according to the Alexandria-based Society of American Florists, a national association for florists and flower growers.

And locally, Carol Chabra agrees. She's the owner of Festival of Flowers, a flower shop at 6933 Telegraph Road. In fact, for her store, open since 1989, business especially blooms in December. “People have winter parties all month long,” she explained.

Chabra reports poinsettias are her top-selling plant this time of year. Poinsettias’ U.S. history dates to 1825, according to SAF. Joel Robert Poinsett, an amateur botanist and the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, brought some cuttings to his plantation in Greenwood, S.C., from the poinsettias’ native Mexico.  Turns out, Dec. 12, the date of his passing, is National Poinsettia Day to honor his memory through the lasting legacy of the poinsettia.

Chabra said SAF research shows, contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not poisonous to dogs or cats. But like any plants, poinsettias will upset pets’ stomachs. “It is best to avoid the animal having access directly,” cautioned Chabra. “I have my three Boston Terriers in the store every day and I am not concerned about the poinsettias, but I also do not let them chew on any of the plants.”

As with any non-food product, the poinsettia is not meant to be eaten and can cause varying degrees of discomfort; therefore, the plant should be kept out of the reach of young children and curious pets, SAF warns. More research is available on http://www.aboutflowers.com/flower-holidays-occasions-a-parties/christmas/poinsettia-toxicity-myth-.html.

Some of the other best-sellers this time of year at Festival of Flowers, Chabra said, are:

• Dish gardens decorated for the holidays  
• Ornamental kalanchoes 

Her top-selling flowers this time of year are roses, followed by “anything white or red: Carnations, snapdragons, Star of Bethlehem, alstromeria and spider mums.”

Also a big hit: Lilies and baby’s breath, for tree decorating.

Chabra advises customers to keep holiday plants and flowers in a cool, but not cold, place, and away from drafts, doors and air vents. “Check to see if they need water every couple of days by putting your finger into the dirt,” she recommended.

Customers often ask her: “How do I make them last?” before taking their purchases home. She suggests fresh flowers should be recut and put in fresh, treated water every few days, while green plants should be watered according to their needs and kept in a bright, but not sunny, place. Yellowing leaves should be cut off because they will not turn green again, she said.

SAF offers some tips for holiday decorating this season:

• Incorporate a scented pine or other greens into a centerpiece or table arrangement.
• Place evergreen, cypress or mistletoe over the threshold, in the foyer or on the mantel.
• Use a variety of poinsettias—pink, peach, white, plum, speckled or marbled, in addition to the traditional red.

Festival of Flowers is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays; closed on Sundays.

Chabra said in order to assure deliveries arrive on time during the busy holiday season, customers should place orders at least 24 hours before you want them delivered and check your favorite flower shop's hours on or near Christmas Day and any other holiday.