Arranging Winter Containers
December and gardening: yes, it is possible. There is still plenty to do and plenty to harvest. Even though the oranges and yellows of autumn have faded and dropped to the ground, we can look to our foundational plantings – our evergreens and textural elements – to inspire our holiday container displays. We are so blessed to live in Park Hill, as mature evergreens and large semi- evergreen shrubs are aplenty. We don’t have to go too far to find landscape- inspired creations.
Now is the time to venture out to your yard and prune some wintry material to work with. A centerpiece is essential, as you can place that first and settle everything else around it. ‘Red Twig’ dogwoods are always an easy way to create structure and height in a container. Their bright red bark makes a stunning contrast to the greenery surrounding it and the snow (should we be so lucky to have any). You can gather clippings from the old Colorado Blue Spruce; or the creeping Mahonia, whose berries are a beautiful indigo under the Japanese maple; the yew, with its red berries; and the variegated ‘Carol Mackie’ Daphne foliage. All make excellent choices to fill a winter or holiday container.
Perhaps, you will be surprised to find the berries of your Cotoneaster, big and bright, on your way to trim the yew. Sage shrubs can still be used, they are fragrant, bold and their awesome gray-green foliage offers a wonderful contrast to the heavy greens that dominate the arrangement. Grass plumes are an element that can lighten the display. Look around your landscape – or your friendly neighbor’s – to see what else you are able to collect for more holiday merriment. See what inspires you.
As the holidays approach, notice the red berries, the purple berries, the yellow twigs, the red twigs, the blue spruce or the juniper boughs, even the pinecones that scatter our lawn. They are all there for our use. We can craft and create extraordinary container displays. Festive, winter forms and colors and textures are waiting to show off in your empty containers. Try it and you’ll see.
Gardening in December, you say? Yes! Fresh cut boughs and winter displays, right from your own garden.
Marne Norquist is a professional horticulturalist with 13 years of experience designing and installing gardens. A native of Park Hill, she now cultivates a plot on Dexter Street, where gardens – edible and ornamental – and two kids grow. She can be reached at marnenorquist@gmail.com.
DECEMBER GARDEN TIPS
• Clip long strands of Virginia Creeper and coil them for winter wreaths
• Deep water trees, shrubs and perennials, especially newly planted ones
• Restock the bird feeders
• Browse seed catalogs
• Check stored bulbs and tubers; discard any spoiled ones
• Pile the snow on tender plants (Redbuds, semi-hardy perennials, Japanese Maples, etc.), as it’s the ideal insulator against the cold
• Continue to plan for the coming season