4 ways to perk up plain poinsettias

Nowadays, our Christmas decorations don't seem complete without at least one big blooming poinsettia sitting atop a mantel, serving as a centrepiece or making a front hall festive.

This Central American native began its northward migration in the late 1820s, introduced to the United States by the then minister to Mexico, Joel R. Poinsettia. Left to its own devices, a poinsettia naturally "flowers" just around Christmas and the winter solstice - when days are shortest - which, aside from its range of rich colours, makes it the perfect seasonal plant.

But if you're becoming a little bored with this longtime favourite, don't despair - see what a delightful difference a little imagination can make. Here, four floral designers from across Canada show you how to take a simple poinsettia from supermarket to spectacular.

Della Robbia Delight

When he's assembling an arrangement, Neville MacKay of My Mother's Bloomers in Halifax is guided by the surroundings in which it will be set, the particular celebration or season and the nature of his chosen materials.

Designer's tip: This fun, dressed-up Della Robbia look (named after the 15th-century Florentine sculptors who developed a style of colourful, richly decorated ceramics) can be created quickly with things you'll have at home.

You need:

• Poinsettia in 6-in pot
• Oval woven willow, wicker or twig basket, approx 15 cm (6 in) deep and 15 to 18 cm (6 to 7 in) wide
• Approx 8 boughs of sturdy cedar, 35.5 to 53.5 cm (14 to 21 in) long
• 2 to 4 curly willow branches
• 2 or 3 stems of artificial berry branches, approx 40.5 cm (16 in) long
• Pinecones, unshelled nuts such as pecans, walnuts and almonds, and apples, pears and grapes, as desired
• Small bunch of raffia
• Green plastic garbage bag, florist's wire, wire cutters, glue gun, secateurs, scissors and wooden skewers

To make:

1. From wire, cut 25.5 cm (10-in) length for each pinecone. Twist wire around pinecone approx 2.5 cm (1 in) up from base, leaving two 10 cm (4-in) ends. With ends, wire cones as desired to basket side. Line basket with double thickness of bag, folding corners inside around rim. Set poinsettia in basket. Fill area around pot with nuts.

2. Cover soil with loose nuts. Poke ends of branches through nuts into soil around base of poinsettia, trimming length as necessary and arranging asymmetrically as desired.

3. Poke 1 end of each skewer into basket side; impale fruit on other end (to steady basket, use heaviest fruit around base). Between fruit, glue nuts.

4. Tie large raffia bow; glue to basket.

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