The Poinsettia Tree In Nebraska Is One Of The Most Unusual Christmas Trees In The Nation

The holidays will be here before you know it, and decorations are going up all over Nebraska. From neighborhood light displays and fantastic festivals to Christmas towns, local parades, and gingerbread villages, Nebraska dresses up beautifully during the holidays! But perhaps none are more iconic than the massive poinsettia tree at Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, Nebraska. People Magazine once called it one of the strangest Christmas trees in the whole country. The 20-foot tree is a holiday tradition at the gardens, and if you haven't seen it in person yet, make this the year you go.

The Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha get all dressed up for Christmas, with colorful lights draped from plants and bright decorations dotted throughout the space.

Although many of the plants are sleeping for the winter, you can still see some magical sights as part of the garden's Marry & Bright festivities.

The 20-foot-tall living poinsettia tree is definitely the most impressive sight.

Some years, the poinsettia tree is made up of different colors of poinsettias. Visitors can expect to see rich reds, sparkling whites, speckled flowers, and more.

These short-blooming flowers are nurtured for months to be sure they're ready to show off their flowers for the annual display.

The tree is built on a welded metal frame specially designed to cradle the colorful Christmas flowers - about 700 of them, to be exact! Around 5,000 of them total will be on display at the gardens.

It's watered through an internal irrigation system that keeps the plants happy and healthy. There are no ornaments on this tree; they would damage the delicate blooms. Although the tree is bedecked with gorgeous lights!

The first crop of flowers is on display for a couple of weeks before garden staff swap them all out for fresh ones.

The entire main building is taken over by holiday lights and decorations, including the model train on 300 feet of tracks.

The train runs through a little model Omaha, complete with landmark buildings and bridges.

Merry & Bright really brings this festive tree to life, as well as the entire gardens, which burst into GLOWing color during certain hours. Going from traditional...

...to a kaleidoscope of happy hues.

This stunning centerpiece is one of the prettiest Christmas traditions in Nebraska, and it's a holiday experience that you won't want to skip bringing the whole family to see.

The tree and the rest of the display is typically up from around Thanksgiving through the first week of the new year. Admission to this festive Nebraska Christmas tree is included with your admission price.

We absolutely love this gorgeous slice of Christmas cheer! For hours, dates, admission prices, and more, visit the Lauritzen Gardens website.

While you're there, be sure to check out the incredible greenhouse that's 80 degrees year-round. Or, to peruse a few Nebraska Christmas trees for your own home, check out one of our favorite Christmas tree farms and check into a nearby cozy cabin for a dreamy winter getaway.