Did you know...I didn't!

...that December 12th is National Poinsettia Day in the USA? Poinsettias are especially popular around Christmas, although you can see them in warmer climates much of the year I believe. In Cleveland, you are not likely to see anything blooming in December, except in florist shops, greenhouses, and botanical gardens, which is where I blipped these beauties. The Cleveland Botanical Garden is the place to go to see a display of these plants in an amazing array of colors. The designation of December 12th as National Poinsettia Day  is because that marks the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett, an American botanist, physician, and Minister to Mexico.In 1828 he discovered the plant in southern Mexico and sent clippings back to his home in Charleston, South Carolina.  It wasn't until 2002 that the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution and created National Poinsettia Day to honor Paul Ecke Jr. who is considered the father of the poinsettia industry. Two more poinsettia factoids: (1)Every year poinsettias contribute up to $250,000,000 to the U.S. economy at the wholesale level, and (2)Poinsettias are the best selling potted plant in the U.S. and Canada. In fact, we have three of them in our house this year that Bob brought home on Monday. They look beautiful, although I am a little nervous about caring for them because I do not have the proverbial green thumb. If they survive, they may feature in a future blip. Wish me luck!