When it comes to Holiday décor inspiration, nature is hard to beat – from conifers that sate our need for greenery during the depths of winter, adding refreshing fragrance to our spaces, to brilliant jewel-toned berried stems and beautifully architectural dried branches, pine cones, seedpods and flowers, your own yard may be the perfect place to “shop” for holiday and winter décor ideas.
Wreaths, boughs, garland, center pieces, window boxes, table settings – there are so many opportunities in which to incorporate the beauty of nature into your holiday décor. Mix and match to your heart’s content and let your imagination (and your holiday spirit!) be your guide.
Conifers: (Pines, Firs, Spruces, Cypress, Cedar) Perfect for wreaths and boughs for front door décor; tucked into window boxes, outdoor urns, and vases; use as garland on railings and mantles; use sprigs for holiday table décor and to decorate presents.
Broad Leaf Evergreens: (Holly, Variegated Holly, Ivy, Variegated Ivy, Euonymous) Add color and texture to wreaths, window boxes, outdoor urns and vases, garland and holiday table décor.
Berried Branches: (Winterberry “Red Sprite” and “Winter Gold”, Snowberry, Red Chokeberry, Purple Beauty Berry) Berry branches are a great way to add brilliant jewel-tone colors to dried arrangements. Snowberry, with its snowy-white waxy berries, adds a frosted feel to wreaths and boughs.
Shrub & Tree Branches: Can lend a simple beauty to indoor arrangements, especially when grouped together en masse. Varieties of dogwood such as Tatarian Dogwood “Sibirica,” Bloodtwig Dogwood “Anny’s Winter Orange,” “Magic Flame,” and “Midwinter Fire,” and Redtwig Dogwood “Cardinal” can be grouped for a dramatic range of gold and red hues. White birch branches are a traditional décor favorite, and Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick makes a delightfully gnarly addition.
Seed Pods: Seed pods add stunning architectural interest to table settings and arrangements and look wonderful when grouped in large bowls. Pine Cones are a holiday favorite, but check out other interesting options like Lotus Seed pods, Star Anise, Money Plant branches, even dried chili peppers!
Flowers: Dried flowers can add softness and color to arrangements and table settings. Large boughs of white, dried hydrangeas look like mounds of snow. If you’re craving color, try vibrant, dried Chinese Lantern – no watering needed for either option!
Dried Grasses: Dried grasses can be fashioned into wreaths, used as a foundation or filler for arrangements, or as statement arrangements in large groupings. Consider fluffy Bunny Tail Grass, dramatic Pampas Grass, or the simple beauty of dried Rye stalks, Dune Grass or Fountain Grass.
All Images in this blog post are compliments of Farmside Gardens.
