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 Most gardeners are used to walking into their
summer garden collecting blossoms to create a bouquet or arrangement
for their summer parties. Winter should be no exception.
Start by gathering some greens. The fan-like sprays of arborvitae,
blue-green sprigs of juniper and stems of other evergreens like
yews, boxwood, pines, and spruces provide all the greenery you’ll
need.
Now look for items with interesting color or shapes. Red and yellow
twig dogwoods, curly willow, contorted filbert and fantail willow
provide interesting color and form.
Next, gather cones, berries and fruits such as rose hips, the blue
berry-like cones of junipers, sweet gum seedpods, alder’s cone-like
fruit, and of course evergreen cones as substitutes for summer
blooms.
Don’t overlook purple coneflower, black berry lily, penstemon and
other seed heads and pods. Fluffy seed heads of ornamental and
native grasses make nice fillers. All these make beautiful additions
to any arrangement and can be painted or glittered for some added
glitz. And don’t be afraid to add a few shiny ornaments for a bit of
holiday flare.
Look for decorating possibilities that your indoor garden can
provide. Dress up small plants to create a centerpiece and larger
plants to provide a bit of seasonal color and decor.
Stop by your favorite florist or garden center and purchase a few
water picks and cut flowers. Place the cut flowers in the picks and
sink them into the pots of your favorite houseplants. This adds some
color and seasonal interest to any green plant.
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Consider creating a changeable houseplant container.
Plant several compatible indoor plants in a large container. Sink a
small empty pot in the space where you want to create a focal point.
Set a small potted flowering plant inside this empty one. Replace
the flowering plant occasionally to freshen up the container garden
or create a seasonal display. Miniature poinsettias, azaleas,
African violets and cyclamen allow you to change out the display
throughout the year and for any special occasion.
Make it even easier to change the display by filling a large basket
with a collection of potted houseplants and flowering plants. Switch
out the flowers as they fade and foliage plants as the holidays,
your mood or the décor changes.
Use silk flowers, glittery spikes and decorative
ornaments to add a splash of color and sparkle to your indoor garden
as needed. Exchange these for red, pink and white hearts on
Valentine’s Day, colorful Easter eggs, or faux fall leaves as the
seasons change.
Once you’ve created your first arrangement, you’ll be looking for
additional opportunities to create more. And as you plan this year’s
garden, consider growing more plants that can be used to dress up
your dinner table and other rooms in your home.
Melinda Myers has written numerous books, including Small Space
Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD
series and the nationally-syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV &
radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for
Birds & Blooms magazine and her web site is www.MelindaMyers.com.
[Photo credit: Melinda Myers, LLC]
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