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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Molbak's Part Three, The Poinsettias

Visiting Molbak's during the holiday season is becoming a tradition for us.  Molbak's never forgets that they are a nursery first even while they create this carnival of Christmas and outdoor plants as well as a great selection of indoor plants are available in abundance.  Today, let's look at some of the poinsettias and pots offered for sale.  Maybe you'll get some ideas for an entry in Danger Garden's Poinsettia Challenge. Click here for details.



Oh deer. 

I've always been a fan of red poinsettias thinking that white ones were okay but red, now that's a cheerful holiday color!  Lately I've begun to see the merits of white.  The pink flushed white one is charming.

Molbak's does a nice job of pairing poinsettias and houseplants.


Now you know who does all of the work around here!

Or did they just spill paint on those poinsettias? 
 There is also a grand selection of possible containers for all sizes of poinsettias from the tiny two-inch pots to the largest specimen.


Mmm gold and silver!



Is this cool or what?  However, if one were to put plants in it, the gold inside would be covered.  How would you use this?  Glass ornaments? Candle?

Tea lights would illuminate the shiny interiors of these beautifully!

Okay, back to the poinsettias. this variety, 'Tapestry' with variegated leaves was new to me a couple of years ago & the plant is still alive and will in my greenhouse.  I don't know if it'll get colored bracts or not but the leaves alone make me love it.

'Ice Punch'

'Christmas Beauty Nostalgia'


It's hard to tell from this picture but 'Strawberries & Cream' has cool shaped leaves that are variegated. 


The saturated color of  'Luv U Pink' is reason enough to forgive it's name.  


Don't remember the name of this variety but the plant hanging over the corner, simply labeled Rhipsalis (maybe Rhipsalis micrantha) nearly came home with me. Hopefully there will still be one there in January during the 30% off house plant sale!

So many varieties!
 'Sonora White Glitter' and dieffenbachia.


My fave this year was 'Cortez Electric Fire'  It was difficult to get a picture that shows the actual electric orangey red of this poinsettia.  If you're familiar with the color of the bromeliads, the poinsettia was nearly the same shade.  Yowsa, what a festive jolt!


To wrap up, here's Molbak's traditional poinsettia tree. 

Do you enjoy poinsettias?  If so, what's your favorite color?
For a complete illustrated list of Molbak's poinsettia varieties for 2015, click here.

23 comments:

  1. Wow, Molbak's displays look as good as any of those famous conservatories I've visited over the years. The leaves on Strawberries and Cream are pretty cool.

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    1. They do a wonderful job of display year round but this time of year is especially nice.

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  2. Molbak's can be overwhelming; how do you pick anything? I often leave empty handed just because I can't make up my mind. I LOVE the Santa helpers on the ladder, they are just delightful and funny.
    I wish I could enter the poinsettia tree in Danger Garden's challenge...

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    1. It's hard to visit Molbak's without spending more money than I should. I don't buy holiday decorations much anymore so that part is easier. However, the rest of everything can still be a bit overwhelming. I give myself a lot of time there and wander a lot. Once to check everything out, twice to put things in my cart, and a third time to put back some of the items that just needed a short spin but not a ride all the way home.

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  3. I always get excited when I see all of the cool varieties available, but then disappointed when I can't find the same selection locally. Those shiny inside containers are great -- perfect for small candles like you said, but also might be very cool as a summertime water dish garden.

    (some of the pink poinsettias just look like faded red ones to me...)

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    1. We are very lucky in these parts to have so many wonderful nurseries who really go all out, not just at Christmas but all year, to bring us great stuff!

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  4. I love them at Molbak's but they do not do well in my house.
    Our field trip companions weren't excited about going to Molbaks this year because they aren't really plant people, so we didn't go there, but I missed it. I guess Tom and I could still go on our own if we find a day to do it.

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    1. All of the nurseries are great this time of year but Molbak's, like you've said before, is able to do both the over-the-top Christmas thing and still have a lot of plants!

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  5. They have some wonderful varieties there. The deep pink and red ones hurt my eyesight, they're so bright in your photos. I hope your 'Tapestry' in the greenhouse gets some colorful bracts on it.

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    1. Because it's so dark this time of year and our interior has so much wood, the bright colors really shine at this time of year. I think that poinsettias need a certain light/dark treatment to put on bracts so maybe not this year for 'Tapestry' bracts.

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  6. You've reminded me that Molbaks is where my friend Sonny and I used to go to buy our little (2.5") poinsettias back in the day. What a wonderful place. So I'm assuming you made a purchase or two? And thanks for the link!

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    1. What a sweet memory. I bought cool wide and shallow low glazed pot thinking that it would look good with cacti or succulents in it and one other thing that I can't remember. Really looking forward to their January house plant sale!

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  7. Oh my gosh, I've got to get to the garden marts ! Loving the bowls gold and silver. Any color poinsettia is fine with me. I'm not big on lights so the plants work really well for me.

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    1. It's great fun to go to these places at this time of year!

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  8. Great comment and pics about the elves helping out. Comical. My fave is the one directly above yours, 'Sonora White Glitter' because it even has red in the leaves. 26 varieties at least. Sigh. I've only found 4.

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    1. A local T.V. plant guru talked about a new variety that he was given this year that has red bracts and all of the leaves are infused with a little red as well. I've yet to encounter this one myself. Truthfully, I love all of them.

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  9. I've been taking the measure of the local poinsettia supply here but we have nothing like the range you found at Molbaks. SoCal is definitely not on the cutting edge when it comes to plants.

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    1. Oh but the succulents, cacti, and other delicious plants you grow in the ground would more than make up for that! Molbaks is a pretty special place!

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  10. Ooh, I love that copper (or whatever it is made of) bowl! I think I'd put it on a table somewhere with something small inside so as not to cover it up. And I probably agree about 'Cortez Electric Fire'. SO BRIGHT! Pretty impressive range of colours they have there.

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  11. I love that copper bowl too. A candle in it could look amazing. As for Poinsettas, I had no idea they came in so many colours. Have they replaced holly as the plant to represent Christmas?

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  12. I love that copper bowl too. A candle in it could look amazing. As for Poinsettas, I had no idea they came in so many colours. Have they replaced holly as the plant to represent Christmas?

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  13. All those shiny things eclipse the poinsettias for me.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.