The greenhouses of Palmer Home for Children have gone ruby red, thanks to almost 3,500 Christmas poinsettias. The decorative plants are available for purchase by the public. Proceeds support the Palmer Home residential ministry, which provides a stable, nurturing home life for children in its care at campuses in Columbus and Hernando.
The annual poinsettia project is part of the Hope Grows horticulture program overseen by Mary Tuggle. She is assisted by several of the older children. They begin in mid-August preparing 6 1/2-inch pots and planting small cuttings. A careful, daily regimen of light, temperature and moisture control continues for several months to produce the trademark red leaves, or bracts.
As important as the proceeds the program generates, are the life lessons it provides.
“It’s a good way to show the children so many life skills,” said Tuggle. “They come to work, they do the job, they are accountable.”
Palmer Home Marketing and Public Relations Manager Katharine Hewlett shared, “Hope Grows allows Palmer Home for Children to interact with caregivers, community members and other children through the act of planting poinsettias, nurturing the plants and watching them grow.”
The greenhouses also afford opportunities for younger and older children alike to plant and harvest fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as flowers, in season.
How to get them
Poinsettias may be purchased at the Palmer Home greenhouses located at 912 11th Ave. S. Mondays through Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Dec. 18. The cost per plant is $18.
Plants may also be ordered online at https://palmerhome.org/poinsettias, or order by phone at 855-672-5637, or email Leigh Upton at [email protected].
Free delivery, except on Saturdays or Sundays, is available within a 120-mile radius of Palmer Home in Columbus with the purchase of five or more plants to a single location. Deliveries end Dec. 18.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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