Creating Your Own Holiday Designs
(Via gardenauthor)
Rose Hips
West Coast Cedar
Winterberry
Juniper
Mixed West Coast Greens
Native White Pine
Yellow Twig Dogwood
Noble Fir
Red Twig Dogwood
Boxwood
Rose Hips
West Coast Cedar
Winterberry
Juniper
Mixed West Coast Greens
Native White Pine
Yellow Twig Dogwood
Noble Fir
Red Twig Dogwood
BoxwoodA special thanks to Corliss Bros. Nursery & Garden Center of Ipswich, MA for these fine examples of holiday greens... fresh, fragrant and ready for the nimble fingers of those backyard gardeners among us, with a certain flair for creating their own seasonal decorations. Though it's true that thrifty, wily gardeners will clip sprigs of evergreens and berries from the backyard, often the quality, variety and quantity available at garden centers, tempts us into augmenting our own sometimes meager stock.
From prime west coast greens to native materials, chances are your local garden center is ready with a wide variety of greens to spark your imagination. The long, colorful branches of red and yellow twig dogwoods are perfect for lending color and structure to large, empty pots -
just avoid terracotta, ceramic or non-draining containers which would break or sustain damage, over the course of the winter. Whiskey barrels, fiberglass and many heavy-grade plastic pots (maybe those that held annuals last summer) are usually ideal for a winter-long display. Dogwood stems, cut a bit smaller, brighten up window boxes and hay rack planters. These colorful stems are handsome alone, or combined with graceful evergreen boughs.
Of course, needled evergreens like those pictured above, are wonderful for filling window boxes, rounding out mixed displays or fashioned into garland, roping, swags and wreaths. Combine these with broadleaved evergreens, like boxwood or holly, for a textural design. Add a few sprigs of rose hips or winterberry for an eye-catching bright note. Remember, handled properly, many of these items are utilized indoors in seasonal arrangements. To preserve the moisture within these greens, many can be sprayed with an anti-desiccant, such as Wilt Pruf®, whether displayed indoors or out.
Why all this interest in holiday greens? Most of us begin our holiday decorating outdoors, so it's logical to begin the discussion with the greens. But, it's not just about Christmas, or holidays, in general. While it's true that such hand-crafted decorations add warmth and cheer to both invited guests and passers-by, it's all about sharing these elements throughout the often dull winter season. Long after the holiday season is but a memory, you'll be enjoying the results of your handiwork... here's to a well-decorated winter!
©Deb Lambert 2007
From prime west coast greens to native materials, chances are your local garden center is ready with a wide variety of greens to spark your imagination. The long, colorful branches of red and yellow twig dogwoods are perfect for lending color and structure to large, empty pots -
just avoid terracotta, ceramic or non-draining containers which would break or sustain damage, over the course of the winter. Whiskey barrels, fiberglass and many heavy-grade plastic pots (maybe those that held annuals last summer) are usually ideal for a winter-long display. Dogwood stems, cut a bit smaller, brighten up window boxes and hay rack planters. These colorful stems are handsome alone, or combined with graceful evergreen boughs.
Of course, needled evergreens like those pictured above, are wonderful for filling window boxes, rounding out mixed displays or fashioned into garland, roping, swags and wreaths. Combine these with broadleaved evergreens, like boxwood or holly, for a textural design. Add a few sprigs of rose hips or winterberry for an eye-catching bright note. Remember, handled properly, many of these items are utilized indoors in seasonal arrangements. To preserve the moisture within these greens, many can be sprayed with an anti-desiccant, such as Wilt Pruf®, whether displayed indoors or out.
Why all this interest in holiday greens? Most of us begin our holiday decorating outdoors, so it's logical to begin the discussion with the greens. But, it's not just about Christmas, or holidays, in general. While it's true that such hand-crafted decorations add warmth and cheer to both invited guests and passers-by, it's all about sharing these elements throughout the often dull winter season. Long after the holiday season is but a memory, you'll be enjoying the results of your handiwork... here's to a well-decorated winter!
©Deb Lambert 2007
