Red is the most classic Christmas colour, partly thanks to the universally loved poinsettia – also known as the Christmas Star flower – whose traditional red foliage has been used to enhance homes during the festive season for centuries.

Whilst careful cultivation from Europe’s leading poinsettia growers has resulted in countless floral varieties in a glorious array of colours – from white, cream and yellow through to amber, orange and eye-popping pinks – red is still the most popular colour of this favoured Christmas flower.

Stars for Europe has put together an image library for the 2022 festive season, which has left us dreaming of a bold red Christmas as the rainy days of Autumn set in.

Festive Inspiration

Spruce and fir cones, echeveria, rosehips, pine twigs and cut poinsettias decorate this lush Advent wreath in an on-trend nature-inspired style. Tip: Immediately after cutting, dip the poinsettia stems briefly in hot water (approx. 60°C) and then in cold water. Place them in water-filled test tubes then insert them into the wreath. This keeps the star-shaped bracts beautifully fresh for up to two weeks.

For pretty gifts to go, drinking jars with lids and integrated straws are ideal for use as leakproof mini vases. Fill with water, replace the straws with cut poinsettias and tie pine sprigs to the lids with string.

Red poinsettias add bold accents to these black kitchen units. Together with the candles and the deer figurine, they signal the arrival of Christmas. A zigzag bush (Muehlenbeckia Astonii), echeveria, pepperomia, oyster plant (Tradescantia spathacea) and arrowhead plant (Syngonium podophyllum) further enhance the cosy atmosphere.

As floating plants in wine glasses, mini poinsettias are a stylish table decoration that's quick to make. Take the plants out of their pots, then carefully wash the root balls until the fine root system is exposed. Finally, arrange the poinsettias in glasses filled with water.

These decorations might last the entire festive period, as many plants grow well in hydroponics (plant roots kept in water), but this method does leave your poinsettias prone to risks such as rotting roots and stems. So it’s best to see this as a short-term decoration idea; like an alternative to cut flowers.

Alternative Colour

For those in search of a softer, lighter look this Christmas, you can also choose from beautiful floral images in a broad array of colourways and different trend themes, from Fairytale tablescapes and Trees to Urban Jungles or Mid-Century Style.

We can also supply step-by-step craft guides detailing how to create beautiful floral wreaths, centrepieces, hanging decorations, giftwrap ideas and endless inspiration for the Christmas table.

All the featured images can be downloaded in high resolution from the Stars for Europe library and I've also added a selection here on Wetransfer for your convenience. Any images used should be credited to Stars for Europe and our resident expert is Dr Susanne Lux if you need someone to quote.

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