Their 10 kinds make an impressive display but are only a fraction of the offering available through plant breeders. The National Poinsettia Trials are conducted each season in cooperation with five poinsettia breeders, one commercial greenhouse and two universities.

In 2007, there were 27 new cultivars in the National Trials for the first time. Many of these became available to the public in 2008. Others were added for the 2008 trials. As I perused these and some other sources, I found that these caught my eye.

Remember, red is by far the most popular color and millions of them are grown each season. Many of the improvements in the red poinsettias have more to do with growing characteristics, rather than appearance, so I am not listing them.

White poinsettias have been around for many years, but they were various shades of ivory or cream. Some of the newest types are described as paper white so the bracts are a bright white without the yellow cast.

Highland Gardens was growing a new pink cultivar that has a much more open growth habit and much narrower and smaller bracts. Other new developments on pink poinsettias are brighter hot pink colors, compared with the earlier, more subtle pinks.

Other novelty types include "Christmas Feelings Apricot," with ruffled apricot to pink peppermint-type bracts, "Christmas Feelings Crazy" described as having contorted, "Avantgarde"-type bracts with a dark-pink blaze and creamy-white edges and "Eggnog," a winter rose-type flower with curled leaves and bracts.

"Marco Polo" has dark, apricot-pink and red-flecked bracts; "Orange Spice" is the brightest orange-red cultivar available that some growers are trying to promote for a Halloween or Thanksgiving market.

Look for poinsettias from small miniatures to large, treelike forms on a tall stem or standard. Many growers are also placing multi-colors in pots and you can even find them dyed different colors. In short, there should be one to please almost anyone and get them in the holiday spirit.

Poinsettias are easy-to-care-for, long-lasting potted plants, but they do need certain environmental conditions to thrive. Watering is critical, and they will wilt or develop root rot if they are not properly cared for. Never let them stand in water or get dry enough to wilt. Water them with room temperature water as needed.

Keep the temperature near 60 degrees at night and near 72 degrees during the day. They prefer high humidity but will tolerate interior conditions if they are kept away from heat registers, fireplaces and hot windows. Keep the plants out of cold drafts and protect them from cold when buying them or delivering them to neighbors or friends.