Poinsettias have simply meant Christmas to me for most of my life – anyone who has been to Mexico presumably knows that this is an indigenous plant there, but until I visited Spain I’d never realized these are bushes, and they do indeed begin to bloom just before Christmas. Andalusia has adopted them heartily, planting hundreds of smaller ones in roundabouts, where they are a cheerful reminder of the holiday season. The one I love best remains my neighbour’s in southern Spain, a simpler and less extravagant bush that reminds me how we continue to learn about the world of flowers all our lives. Cheers to more bright surprises!
Intriguing bits of information on poinsettias on wikipedia
ellen world / gardens 