The Holiday Flower

You might remember that last spring I visited the Flower Fields in Carlsbad, California.
I was so surprised to find the Ecke Family Ranch greenhouses already growing poinsettias.

Well, the other day while I was in Trader Joe's I noticed a woman asking about a particular
poinsettia she had once seen and was hoping they might be able to get for her.  She gave a
wonderful description but didn't know the name of the variety.  Unfortunately, the man told
her he didn't know one poinsettia from another.

So, I thought since we are now officially in the holiday season you might enjoy a visit to
the Ecke Ranch greenhouses where they were already growing poinsettias for this Christmas
season last spring.

The Ecke Family Ranch is known worldwide for their beautiful poinsettias.

Most commercially grown poinsettias in this country originate from the Ecke Family Ranch.

The poinsettia is considered to be the official holiday flower.  I believe the flower for the
month of December is the narcisssus but the holiday flower is the poinsettia.  Actually, I
believe a few different flowers claim to be December's flower of the month.

Here are a few of the many varieties...

Winter Rose...

Shimmer Surprise...

Ice Punch...

An interesting fact is that the Aztec Indians prized the poinsettias as a symbol of purity.

They made a purple-ish dye from the colored flower which are actually the leaves called

bracts.  They also made medicines to cure fevers from the sap of the plant.

The flowers are actually large bunches of leaves and the flowers themselves are in the

center of each leaf bunch and quite small and inconspicuous.

A few more varieties...

Monet...

My goodness, this really does look like a Monet painting...

1188...

The 1188 and the Winter Rose varieties are my favorites.

Now I must admit that I've never been a big fan of the poinsettia and almost didn't bother

to go into the greenhouses.  But I'm certainly glad that I did and now I even have two

favorite varieties!

I would love to know if you like poinsettias and if you have a favorite variety and color.

Do you plan to have poinsettias in your home this holiday season?

Have a great weekend.

I will be joining

Rose Vignettes for Fresh Cut Friday

Privet and Holly for Monday Moments

How Sweet The Sound for Pink Saturday

An Early Peek At Something Special

I know you were probably expecting me to do a post about roses right about now. 
However, because I have been telling you about my visit to The Flower Fields, I
thought I would surprise you and share an early peek inside a very special greenhouse.

Let me be the first to say that we normally don't see poinsettias until close to Christmas
but they are already being specially prepared and grown inside a wonderful greenhouse.
The Ecke Family Farm is known worldwide for their beautiful poinsettias and most all
commercially grown poinsettias in this country originate from the Ecke Family Farm.

They are showing many of their varieties now in their greenhouse at The Flower Fields
in Carlsbad, California.

Take a look and enjoy...

I must admit that for some reason I have never really been a fan of the poinsettia...until now.
I especially like the new 1188 variety.  Do you have a favorite variety?

I will be linking to A Rosy Note for her Friday party.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

A Sweet Pea Maze

As you know, a few weeks ago I visited the Flower Fields in Carlsbad, California.
One of the lovely features they have for spring is a Sweet Pea Maze.

Once you enter you follow the paths and try to find your way to the exit. 

Now I know what you're thinking, this would be a piece of cake to navigate...looks
easy.  Well, let me tell you...it is not as easy as you think to find your way out!  However,
it is so beautiful being inside the maze that it almost doesn't matter...unless you are in a
hurry. The flowers tower over you and they are glorious.  The colors are beautiful and
amazing.



Well, after several wrong turns I finally made it out.  It was really kind of fun being lost

in the beauty of these lovely flowers.

I hope you are having a wonderful week.

I am linking over to RoseVignettes for Fresh Cut Friday.