Festive and Metallic at Wright Park

Posted on December 17, 2024 by

24 Comments

Earlier this week we went to Tacoma and while we were waiting for our new sheepskin seat covers to be fitted to our car, we took a walk at nearby Wright Park.

In addition to the large trees, walking path, fountains and pond,

there was a conservatory, filled with interesting plants and festive decorations, many metallic.

There were many poinsettias, not only in traditional red,

but in hybrids of white and pink,

my favorites.

Now for some history:

“Poinsettias have been a symbol of Christmas in the United States for many generations, but what we know as the “poinsettia” has a true name – Cuetlaxochitl – and a deeper story. Cuetlaxochitl (kwet-la-SHO-she) is native to Mexico and was cultivated by the Aztecs for medicinal purposes and as a dye. The Aztecs also grew extensive botanical gardens which included cuetlaxochitl. Motezuma (the last Aztec emperor) would send caravans of the plans to the capital for all to enjoy.”

In 1828, John Roberts Poinsett, the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, “discovered” cuetlaxochitl and brought cuttings back to the U.S. and it was then named after him.

Most poinsettias in the United States today are grown in California. The beauty is in the colored leaves or bracts, the tiny flowers in the middle mostly go unnoticed.

I used to bring poinsettias home for winter color but stopped when I learned they were mildly toxic to cats. Now I just enjoy them where they are used for holiday decorating everywhere.

Sharing with this month’s #Sunday Stills Color Challenge, Metallic and Cee’s #Flower of the Day.

~ Susanne

Category: Gardens, ParksTags: , , , , , , ,

24 Comments on “Festive and Metallic at Wright Park”

    • Thanks so much, Terri! We just happened upon the conservatory as we don’t get to Tacoma that often. It was fun to find so much beauty in a small space and learn something too. 🙂

  5. Very nice, and not just the sheepskin covers! A couple of my neighbors have poinsettias growing in their yards. I’m still not used to them growing there year-round.

  6. Those different coloured poinsettias are lovely! We saw cream ones in Mexico and a few pink too, but here in the UK it’s nearly always red ones sold in the shops, because they look more Christmassy I guess.

  8. Very festive indeed, and something nice to do while waiting for the fitting of seat covers.

    Best wishes, Pete.

    • Thanks, Pete. I’d never been to the conservatory before and it was just a couple blocks from where we got the seat covers, so it worked out well!

  9. Thank you very much for the information and pictures, especially about the poinsettia.

    Wishing you a happy holiday and a healthy New YearThe Fab Four of Cley🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

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