DATE:     11/30/00  
WRITER:   Dr. Jim Faust, (864) 656-4966, assistant professor,
          floriculture
          Bob Polomski, (864) 656-2604, Extension consumer 
          horticulturist
EDITOR:   Giles Singleton, (864) 656-3876

New poinsettias: burgundy, lemon and red

     CLEMSON -- While market research has shown that red is 
still most people's favorite color, this holiday season there 
are some stunning new color combinations and unusual shapes. 
     Greenhouse growers have begun to market the first ever 
burgundy poinsettia, plus other colors like lemon, designer 
rose, rose-red, salmon-pink and orange-red. Variegated leaves 
(green leaves edged with white trim) are also available. 
     The colorful parts of a poinsettia, commonly thought of 
as the flowers, are actually modified leaves called bracts.
     If red is your color, there are deep velvety red bracts, 
perky upright bracts, droopy bracts, perfectly flat and smooth 
bracts and there are even curly bracts.  
     Following are descriptions for a few of the newest 
varieties available in garden centers this winter:
     Cortez Burgundy is the first true burgundy poinsettia. The 
Cortez family of poinsettias is currently much more widely 
available on the West coast. Lemon Snow is bright yellow and 
makes a great contrast to Cortez Burgundy.
     This is the second year that Winter Rose will be in the 
market all across the U.S. and Canada.  After more than 30 years 
of breeding, Winter Rose sets a new definition of a holiday 
potted plant.
     Tightly curved bracts give Winter Rose a shape that 
resembles a peony more than a poinsettia. Some people have 
referred to this plant as a "Dr.Seuss" poinsettia.
     The amazing thing about Winter Rose is its spectacular 
performance throughout the winter months. Look for curly-bracted poinsettias to start to be marketed as cutflowers over the next 
few years.
     Freedom is the most widely grown red poinsettia in the 
U.S. Freedom Rose is a rose-colored variation that has wonderful 
large rose bracts. The Freedom family also includes pink, white, 
marble (pink watercolor patches on white bracts), Jingle Bells 
(pink and white flecking on red bracts), rose and salmon.  
Freedom varieties are popular because they are easy to care for 
in the home environment and they have very dark green, almost 
black, leaves.
     Cranberry Punch is a fun, rosy red colored poinsettia with 
smaller pointed bracts that give it an old fashioned look. 
Cranberry Punch can be used in combinations with pink and 
white poinsettias.
     Peterstar Silverbells is a variegated leaf poinsettia 
that displays white edges on the green leaves as well as the 
red bracts.
     Monet Twilight has a unique "airbrushed" appearance with 
deep red tones in the bracts. It is truly a remarkable 
plant.
     Success has the smoothest bract on the market. The bracts 
are somewhat erect; this gives the plants a fresher look at 
Christmas. Success is considered a late-season variety, because 
it is usually not in full bloom until Dec 10.
     Plum Pudding is a purple poinsettia. Last year, Plum Pudding 
was trial-tested by growers across the country.  The growers hated 
it, but the customers loved it. So growers increased their 
production numbers. Availability is still limited in 2000, but you 
may find a few if you look hard enough.
     Holly Point is the first poinsettia with yellow variegation 
in the leaves. This is the most attractive variegated variety on 
the market. However, it is a slow-grower, so it is not likely to 
be available in large containers.
     Jester is aptly named, because its appearance resembles a 
court jester's hat. This is definitely a "new look" for 
poinsettias. The jury is still out on consumer acceptance.
     Jester is being grown on a trial-basis across the country 
this fall, so availability will be extremely limited in 2000. If 
the trials go well, look for this variety next fall.
     Ask for these varieties by name at your favorite garden 
center. As consumer demand for these new varieties increases,
availability will also increase.
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     If you have questions on gardening, write to PSA Media 
Relations, A-101 Poole Agricultural Center, Clemson University,
Clemson, S.C. 29634-0129. You might also want to look for other
"Buds and Blooms" under 2000 news releases at: 
www.clemson.edu/psamedia.

                             END