More contemporary cultivars have been described as variegated, marbled, speckled, spotted and margined. I still think that spotted poinsettias look like they were grown in greenhouses infested with pigeons. Since 1990, poinsettias have been blooming with colors such as yellow, salmon, peach and purple, and with more floral variations, including "ruffled."

With so much breeding of poinsettias, someone should have developed a cultivar that would easily survive the transition into the garden when finished in the home. Every winter countless poinsettias come and go from perhaps every retail horticultural establishment on the continent, but so few are ever seen in the garden.

Poinsettias are the epitome of what are known to growers as "pot plants." This designation does not imply that they are only legal in Santa Cruz but that they are only expected to perform for a limited time in their own containers, then discarded. Potted chrysanthemums, Easter lilies, kalanchoe and various forced bulbs are other examples of "pot plants." Although they are rarely salvaged, any of them will eventually adapt to an appropriate garden environment. In fact, my great-grandmother grew a poinsettia since about 1970 in her garden in Sunnyvale.

I certainly would not recommend planting poinsettias in the garden now. Greenhouse-grown specimens are very sensitive and easily ruined by winter weather. They should be enjoyed in the home as long as they are appealing. The colorful "flowers" should remain intact for several months until weather is warmer. (Poinsettia flowers are actually small and yellow. The brightly colored bracts surrounding the flowers are modified leaves. Bracts may remain intact after flowers have been abscised.)

Poinsettias can be grown in the home as houseplants. In fact, one of the most impressive specimens I have seen has spent several years in the Saratoga Post Office. Transition from pot culture to garden culture is not as simple but possible with extra attention to the whims of the subject. Poinsettias, incidentally, prefer sheltered areas because they are sensitive to frost. They become tall and scrawny and so would be more appealing behind something lower and more dense.

Of course, many garden enthusiasts indulge in potted plant species that are not so disposable. While visiting with the poinsettias at the Summerwinds Nursery in Mountain View, I observed various blooming orchids. Like many greenhouse-grown flowers, many types of orchids are available throughout the year, but others are more seasonal.

Orchid Addiction, the 2003 show and sale of the Peninsula Orchid Society, will feature exhibits, lectures and demonstrations of orchid culture and is an excellent source of esoteric orchids. Orchid Addiction will be held in the Redwood City Community Activities Building at 1400 Roosevelt Ave. in Redwood City on Jan. 4 and 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults or $3 for senior citizens, those with disabilities or children under 12. For more information, call 650.365.1765.


Tree of the Week: Western red cedar

Western red cedar, Thuja plicata, is common in the area of my father's nursery near Poulsbo, Wash., but is a very rare tree in the Santa Clara Valley. It is typically only seen locally as cut foliage in wreaths or garlands. The finely textured foliar scales are somewhat yellowish green. The foliage occurs in "two-dimensional" sprays that lay flat but spread out. Reddish-brown cones are very small and composed of only a few scales. Foliage may burn if it's too exposed, so slight shade is preferred while trees are small. Height is fortunately limited by environmental conditions. Trees might otherwise grow higher than 200 feet.

Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at 408-358-2574 or at LGHORTICULTURE@aol.com.