When it comes to decorating for the winter season, we rely on evergreens such as pine, arborvitae and spruce, especially for holiday containers. Many of us can conveniently snip branches from these plants in our backyards or purchase greenery at garden centers.
These reliable and readily available bits of greenery can form the base of your holiday container decor. You can enhance the design with snips from unusual trees, shrubs and maybe a perennial or two.
See more: Best Vegetables to Grow in Small Spaces
Trees and Shrubs
Lucky Hoosiers who live in southern Indiana can cut branches from large, flowering magnolia trees (M. grandiflora). The tops of the thick leaves are glossy, and the undersides are a warm, rusty brown. This native tree also develops large, showy cones. The magnolia elements add elegant drama to the pot.
The narrow branches of river birch (Betula nigra), which conveniently fall to the ground all year, can be gathered and used as they are, or they can be spray painted in holiday colors or a hue to match your home. Bunch three or more stems to add height to the container.
On your walks in the neighborhood, pick up pine cones or the cones of other conifers, such as spruce. These can be placed in the container where you’d like to fill a little space. Or spray paint them and use as ornaments on the evergreen branches.
See more: Celebrate the Holidays with Festive Greenery Trimmings
Perennials
Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant perennial, is usually left upright in winter to protect the base of the plant. The blue flowers of summer fade to silver to match the natural color of the stems. Cut some stems and bunch them together to add that silvery hue to the holiday container decor.
The ground cover Epimedium looks good all winter, holding its glossy, wine-red leaves upright. This perennial’s winter interest makes it a great plant in about any landscape. It is easy to grow and low maintenance. Snip a few of the stems and use them as is, or spray paint them.
Snip a few hydrangea branches to add some fluff to the winter arrangements. Cut branches from hydrangeas that bloom on current season wood, such as smooth hydrangea (H. arborescens) and panicle hydrangea (H. paniculata). Use as they are, or spray paint them. Remember, minor deadheading an oakleaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia) is OK, but no major pruning. Same with the big leaf hydrangeas (H. macrophylla), like Endless Summer or other similar varieties. Cutting them now removes next year’s flower buds.
Any of these plants will work well in any container, including window boxes. I hope this encourages you to consider the winter interest of plants for your landscape for seasonal enjoyment.
