SOUTH BURLINGTON – Those decorating a home this holiday season should consider the bounty of garden elements and other natural options available to brighten up holiday displays. Many of these can be gathered up at no cost and, better still, can be simply tossed in the compost pile during clean-up.
Juniper, spruce, pine, fir, cedar, holly and boxwood branches are just some ideas of evergreens that might already be in a yard to choose from.
photo by Amy Simone.
Remember that in gathering these branches, trim the tree or bush so consider the plant’s shape as it is cut. Curating greens from a variety of plants increases the different textures and hues of green in the décor and decreases the number of branches needed from each plant.
photo by Amy Simone.
If a yard does not offer up enough greenery, visit a local garden center. They should have everything from bulk stems as material for a creations, to fresh wreaths and garlands, either already decorated or ready to adorn with natural elements.
Place greens in a festive container with a waterproof liner filled with water or fitted with a block of moistened oasis. Hammer the cut ends of the woody stalks to allow them to absorb water better.
Maintain the moisture in the containers to ensure the longest life of greenery. Wherever possible, place natural garlands and wreaths in cooler locations to prolong their beauty.
Take a stroll around the yard to look for twigs, ideally volunteers that have already separated from the tree or shrub. Birch and dogwood are two plants that offer interesting features and colors. These can be added to tall narrow containers with other natural elements. Or, if there is a larger stick with small branches, it can be mounted to a wood base and adorned with ornaments or lights.
photo by Amy Simone.
Houseplants can also be called upon to act as a canvas for string lights or lightweight ornaments. Look to Norfolk pine, rosemary and other houseplants with a desirable shape and ability to support some adornments.
To add some brighter color to natural décor, tuck in some cuttings from winterberry, American cranberry bush, sumacs (in the Rhus family of plants), red chokeberry, and holly berries. Keep in mind that holly and winterberries are toxic to pets and humans.
photo by Amy Simone.
For additional texture and color, check the yard for dried perennial stalks, especially those with interesting seed heads. These can be added to garlands, wreaths and containers.
photo by Amy Simone.
Pine and other conifer cones are prolific and can be collected easily. Cones gathered from nature should be prepared prior to use. Soak them in two-parts warm water to one-part white vinegar for 30 minutes. They may need to be weighed down if they try to float. Stir the water every 10 minutes to dislodge any debris and bugs. Shake off excess water and lay out on a towel or cooling rack to dry completely. This process will remove any sap and disinfect them as well. Use the clean cones to beautify wreaths and garlands, in centerpieces, or tie many along natural fiber twine to create a string of cones to hang on the tree.
After enjoying a natural holiday display all season, remove any non-compostable elements and add the rest to a compost pile.
Amy Simone
Amy Simone is a UVM Extension Master Gardener from South Burlington.
