The genius behind the lawn at Chatsworth was Capability Brown (1716-1783). In the course of…
American Seedsman Encouraged Poinsettias
American Seedsman Encouraged Poinsettias
One of my favorite plant stories is how the poinsettia became a popular Christmas flower here in America.
In the nineteenth century it was common for garden magazines or journals to include articles from other garden publications, mostly English. The source of the orignal story would often appear at the end of the article.
Philadelphia nurseryman Thomas Meehan (1826-1901) included an article about the poinsettia in his magazine Gardener’s Monthly in May of 1876 which he took from the English weekly journal called Gardeners’ Chronicle.
The article, simply entitled ‘Poinsettia’ said, “Passing by these old friends, not without a word of hearty welcome be it well understood, we come to another plant which has been of late years an almost indispensable adjunct of Christmas decorations, be they of church or hall–the brilliant Poinsettia pulcherrima, the bright scarlet bracts of which give the head of blossoms a flower-like appearance, and serve admirably to lighten up the somewhat somber masses of evergreen.”
Meehan continued with these words: “Its name commemorates a French traveler, M. Poinsett, by whom the plant was introduced to cultivation.
“He brought specimens to Charleston from Mexico in 1828, whence they were taken to Philadelphia; and specimens sent from the latter place to Edinburgh [Scotland] flowered in 1835, since which date it has become increasingly popular and plentiful in our stores.”
Poinsett had sent the plant to his friend Philadelphia seedsman Robert Buist (1805-1880). Buist in turn mailed a specimen of the plant to his horticulturst friend in Scotland. Soon after that the poinsettia, native to Mexico, became available to the public.
Today during this season you can see how poinsettias still fill the Grand Hall at The Breakers mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. [below]
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Thank you for your always-so-informative posts.
Really enjoyed seeing poinsettias growing in Hawaii. Some were 8+ feet tall!
Wishing you a very Happy and Healthy New Year!
Hello Hilda, Happy New Year. Thank you for following my blog. I am glad you liked the post on the poinsettias. I would love to see those eight feet tall plants in Hawaii.
Best.