Holiday wreaths also available at Master Gardener fundraiser

KINGSTON, R.I. — November 22, 2004 — The University of Rhode Island is hosting its 11th annual Poinsettia Sale on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to noon at the URI Greenhouses on the Kingston Campus.

Proceeds from the sale will go to the URI Master Gardener program. In case of heavy snow, the event will be rescheduled to Dec. 11.

“We have every poinsettia color combination imaginable including pinks, whites, purples, yellows, variegated, and speckled varieties,” said Rosanne Sherry, coordinator of the URI Master Gardener program. “We have reds tinged with green, reds edged with white, standards, dwarfs, and a variety that looks like a rose in bloom.

“This annual event attracts a large crowd, so people should come early to get the best selection” she added.

In addition to poinsettias, the sale will feature holiday wreaths decorated with festive ribbons, pinecones and greens. Holiday baskets, homemade products, centerpieces, and food and refreshments will also be on sale.

“The Poinsettia Day Sale provides the public with the unique opportunity to choose between buying the familiar red poinsettia or being more daring and going with newly introduced, less traditional varieties,” said Marion Gold, director of the URI Cooperative Extension Education Center. “Our Master Gardeners raised all the poinsettias themselves and will be on hand to answer plant care questions and share holiday decorating hints. It will be a fun experience for the whole family.”

Poinsettia Day is sponsored by the URI Master Gardener Association, the URI Cooperative Extension Education Center, the Department of Plant Sciences, the College of the Environment and Life Sciences, and the URI Plant Science Club.

The URI Greenhouses are located at Upper College and Flagg Roads on the Kingston Campus. For more information, call 874-2900.