For example, a new unnamed red poinsettia may not look different to a customer from another red variety. The color can be exactly the same as the others, but it can have stronger stems with more flexibility. This quality is important to a grower, as they often put plastic sleeves around the plants when packing them for deliveries. A poinsettia with strong stems and flexible foliage is a gem.

On the other hand, the aesthetics of the color and patterns of bracts can be of much more importance to the consumer. A novelty poinsettia with marbled bracts or a bright yellow color may appeal to the client, helping them stand on their own feet. Or vice versa, if the colors are off-putting or garish.

Each holiday season, Mitchell’s invites customers to vote for their favorite poinsettias. They do this with ballots, which list all of the named and unnamed varieties they grow. Mitchell’s usually holds an open house, where everything poinsettia-related is celebrated, but this year is a little different.

“We don’t do open houses, just to cut down on crowds,” Judy said. “We’re having a poinsettia show and voting this year, and we’re sending the information back to the breeders. And (the breeders) go out and evaluate them in our trials as well. “

Stepping into Mitchell’s large greenhouse is sensory overload, but in all good manners. A wide central walkway directs customers into the middle of the greenhouse, a deep sea of ​​poinsettias on either side. On the front of each table are different labeled poinsettias, with 96 varieties represented in all. This organization makes it easy for customers to see what’s available, what’s new, and how to easily vote for their favorites.