New Poinsettia bought from shops or garden centres should not be allowed to get cold carrying them to the car. Even a small cold wind can make them drop their leaves. Wrap in a good polythene bag even for the short trip to your home.

Variegated Poinsettia are interesting pot plants on sale around Christmas. After Christmas the price is much lower and a good specimen can last many weeks or months before fading away.

• There are now totally cream leaved as well as the more common red plants.

• The coloured leaves are really bracts that will change to green or drop off if not looked after.

• Poinsettia are susceptible to drafts and cold so should not be left on a windowsill or taken from a warm garden centre to a cold car.

• Do not over water but also you must not let the plant become totally dry or the bracts will be shed prematurely.

The above picture is of the same plant but taken using flash photography. It illustrates how different plants look different under different light conditions.

For more on plant and flower photography try Macro Photography for Gardeners