Poinsettia Varieties

Pretty much every year you tend to find the same thing when it comes to Poinsettias. A whole bunch of varieties get touted, but a lot of them look pretty much like all the others.

We try our best here at the garden center not to overwhelm you with hundreds of choices, but rather just have in stock the varieties which we, and our grower, think are the best.

Here’s a little sample of some of the varieties we are carrying in the store this year, there’s sure to be one that you’ll enjoy.

‘Ice Punch’
This variety has a nice, strong, central tone which has a subtle pink coloration which lightens to a whiter color as the season progresses. This is a great variety to use if you are looking for something a little bit different, while still giving a nod to traditional Poinsettia colors.

‘Freedom Peppermint’
My favorite Poinsettia used to be a variety called ‘Monet’, but the problem was that it colored up so late in the season that Christmas was just about done by the time it looked it’s best!

Well, luckily for me, there’s a variety on the market now called ‘Freedom Peppermint’ which has two things going for it which makes it my new favorite
First of all, the color on this variety is a lot more consistent than on ‘Monet’. The speckled pattern is more evenly distributed, and the tonal variations are a lot more pleasing to the eye.
Also, as with all the varieties in the Freedom series, ‘Peppermint’ comes in much earlier, meaning it can be enjoyed through the whole holiday season, rather than just toward the end.

‘Winter Rose’
Here’s another one with a little different look.

‘Winter Rose’ has actually been on the market for quite a few years, but it continues to be a popular one among those who want a traditional color, with a contemporary look. This variety definitely fits the bill in that regard!

The beautiful red tones definitely shout loudly about what season they belong to, but at the same time the loosely curled bracts add an air of contemporary flair that looks great in a variety of settings

Chianti
This is by far my favorite red Poinsettia!
Not only does this variety have the most incredible deep red, but it also has a great oak leaf shape to the bracts, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication.
This particular variety tends to stay nice and full and compact, so it would make a really good choice for a centerpiece.

‘Chianti’ comes in a little later than most other reds, (though not so late that it’s too late!) so your best time to look for it is usually about mid-month.

‘Shimmer Surprise’
Another nicely variegated variety, ‘Shimmer Surprise’ is often called ‘Jingle Bells’, but it differs from that variety in a couple of ways:
Firstly, the bracts have a bigger color range on them, and will have some pink and yellow splashes as well as the creamy colored speckles associated with this type of Poinsettia.
Also, because this is an improved variety, color tends to come in earlier and more consistently, and also shows better disease resistance than the ‘Jingle Bells’ of old.

Of course it’s tough to break old habits, so if you hear us calling it ‘Jingle Bells’, then you’ll know why!