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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2017
www.nj.gov/agriculture
PO Box 330
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0330   

Contact:
Jeff Wolfe
P: (609) 633-2954
C: (609) 433-1785
E: jeff.wolfe@ag.nj.gov                   

Secretary Fisher Visits Hunterdon County Nursery

(READINGTON) - New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher today visited Hionis Greenhouses in Hunterdon County to highlight that poinsettias, the popular holiday plant, are now available from New Jersey greenhouse and nursery growers. December 12 is National Poinsettia Day.

New Jersey ranked 10th in the U.S. in wholesale poinsettia plants sold in the most recent data available from the United States Department of Agriculture. In 2015, 51 producers sold 1.3 million plants with a total value of $6.9 million. The nursery industry overall is the largest commodity group in New Jersey agriculture with an annual value of more than $350 million.

“Poinsettias can provide a beautiful addition to any holiday season setting,” Secretary Fisher said.  “Our growers understand the needs of individual homeowners or small businesses and have the ability to produce large quantities for broader demands. It makes perfect sense to buy these plants from local nurseries because they last longer for the consumer and it also helps the local economy.”

Hionis Greenhouses, a family owned and operated horticultural grower in New Jersey, produces 14 acres of Jersey Grown Poinsettias annually in Hunterdon County.  They grow many different sizes of poinsettias ranging from 6 inches tall all the way up to 4-foot tall and many different colors from the traditional red to novelty colors like red glitter and many more. They have been growing ornamental holiday crops like poinsettias for over 30 years in New Jersey. Other crops they grow are Easter flowering bulbs, spring bedding plants and hanging baskets, outdoor hardy mums and a lot more.  They grow poinsettias to decorate homes, offices, malls, parties, and events all over New Jersey and beyond.

"Poinsettias, with all of the different colors available now, can fit into a variety of scenes during this time of year," said Tim Hionis, one of the owners and operators of Hionis Greenhouses. "Having poinsettias as decorations during the holidays is a family tradition for many in New Jersey and we take great pride in preparing to have the supply to meet that demand each year.”

Poinsettias are easy to care for and should be watered only when dry to the touch.  Locate the plant in a bright, cool place, avoiding drafts. Also, poinsettias should be kept away from heating vents and other sources of heat, such as fireplaces and radiators.

Today’s poinsettia plant has a storied history in New Jersey. The ‘Oak Leaf’ poinsettia was introduced by a Mrs. Enteman in Jersey City in the 1920s and dominated the field for the next 40 years as it was the first cultivar suitable for growing in a pot.

To find a local business that sells poinsettias and other Jersey Grown products, go to http://jerseygrown.nj.gov/.

National Poinsettia Day was created by an Act of Congress to enjoy the beauty of the plant, first introduced in the United States by Joel Roberts Poinsett.

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 To learn more about the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NJDeptofAgriculture and www.facebook.com/JerseyFreshOfficial or Twitter @NJDA1 and @JerseyFreshNJDA.