Wishing for some more holiday decor? Your landscape may be able to provide.
I’m no Scrooge when it comes to Christmas, but I only need a minimal amount of decor to feel in the season. A Christmas tree. A few lights on the house. Wreaths hanging from the front door and windows. Merry Christmas folks.
Well, some of us (including my wife) – like, need, or even demand more – and glow at the thought of our home appearing as if it were the North Pole with some substantial snowfall. Okay, I’m exaggerating a bit, but if you want to take on a simple, easy, might I say fun activity, consider this.
Refill those flower pots you just emptied from this past growing season with some used or fresh potting soil. Now walk around and look at your landscape for some of the plants below and have your pruners in hand. If you don’t have a very established or mature landscape, ask a friend or family member who might.
What to look for
- Nandina (Nandina domestica in picture)
- Arborvitae
- Juniper (Trautman in picture)
- Boxwood
- Holly (‘Oakland’ in picture)
- Laurel
- Cedar
- Blue or Norway Spruce
- White Pine
- Hemlock
- Red & Yellow Twig Dogwood (deciduous)
A few tips
- Don’t go butchering, but prune foliage by thinning supply plants in a way that isn’t noticeable
- Depending on size of arrangement, cuttings of about 12-24″ are ideal (you can always trim shorter)
- Remove limbs and foliage from base of clippings to ease prodding into flower pot soil
- This isn’t exact science, get creative and bring out your artistic self
Pictures of plants to use
Published by:
Trent Shreckhise
