Cantigny displaying thousands of poinsettias in its greenhouses

So many things scream Christmas these days: high-voltage lights displays, long lines, empty wallets.

From unending Christmas movies to sale ads promising good deals in big bold letters, the holiday season sometimes takes on a life of its own.

Amid the chaos that can be the holidays, growers at Cantigny Park in Wheaton say there's a peaceful calm in the way thousands of poinsettias reflect the season.

"The holidays can really get to be fast-paced and hectic and stressful," said Jenny Lund, production manager at Cantigny. "This really feels like Christmas, one of those really nice moments where you can really stop and just appreciate the holidays."

Cantigny sponsors its fifth annual "Shades of Crimson" poinsettia display featuring more than 3,000 plants from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1.

The display introduces people to the growing environment within the greenhouse that is typically closed to the public.

Beyond that, it introduces people to the many different colors beyond red, such white and pink or a new variety called Jingle Bells, which is red with white spots.

"People usually see them in groups of five or six in the grocery store," Lund said.

The plants began growing from a rooted cutting in June or July, and faced several growing environments to get to the finished product, said Bob Carr, senior grower at Cantigny.

"It's such a long crop it gives you lots of challenges, like in the heat of the summer and when it's cool outside," he said. "They're going through lots of different conditions before you get to the finished product. The challenge and watching them grow is the most rewarding thing."

Of the more than 3,000 plants that will be on display, 1,200 will go to the Wheaton Rotary AM for a fundraiser. The rest will be sold at Cantigny gift shops and distributed throughout the Cantigny grounds.

"It's such a massive display when usually people only see them in groups of five or 10," Lund said. "This is a chance to see thousands of them just at their peak just about ready to go out the door."

The poinsettias are on sale at the Cantigny gift shops, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. For more information, call (630) 260-8162 or visit Cantigny.com.