Breathtaking Poinsettias On Display At Rawlings Conservatory
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It's the most popular holiday plant in Baltimore and across the country. Now you can see hundreds of them in Druid Hill Park.
Ron Matz reports the poinsettias are now in full bloom at the Rawlings Conservatory.
Welcome to the poinsettia show at the Rawlings Conservatory--a breathtaking display of the mega popular plant--introduced in the U.S. in 1825.
"They were discovered in the 1800s by the Mexican ambassador to the United States, Joel Roberts Poinsett. He was a botanist, and he was intrigued by them. He brought them back to his property and started cultivating them," said Sandy Reagan, horticultural assistant at the Rawlings Conservatory.
The reds are the most popular, but there are more than 100 varieties. Care starts in summer, and they need natural light.
"The big thing with poinsettias is the amount of light they get. They can't be exposed to anything but natural light. And I'm not talking about beer here, I'm talking about the sun," Reagan said.
Of course, this is the most popular holiday plant. In fact, in the six weeks leading up to Christmas, about $60 million worth of poinsettias are sold here in the U.S.
You can pick up a poinsettia at the conservatory.
"People can come to the conservatory and buy poinsettias. They range from $6 to $9, we have a few that are $15. Right now, we have a lot of pink and red and white. They're all beautiful," said Reagan.
A bargain to brighten the new year. Part of the "Victorian Holiday" in Druid Hill Park, where donations are gladly accepted.
"You take care of them just like it's a tropical plant. It doesn't like to get too dried out, it will wilt pretty quickly. It will stay a healthy plant as long as you take care of it," said Reagan.
The popular poinsettia show continues through Sunday at the Rawlings Conservatory. For more information, click here.
Other Local News:
