Christmas is coming and so is our opportunity to do something festive and special. A tree, yes, but also a planter outdoors that allows us to be as flamboyant or as natural as we like.
The folks at Mill Street Florist in Manotick always mix the unexpected: in this outdoor display, cut red roses are paired with winterberry (Ilex verticillata) to produce an undeniable punch of red. Of course, red roses will not survive sub-zero temperatures for long, so this combination is best for indoors, perhaps a cool vestibule, or outdoors during mild weather.
My planter a few years ago was simple: imported cedar from British Columbia (much softer and greener than ours here), snipped wild rosehips and large pinecones. Simple but effective, at least before it was covered with snow!
A small yet jewel-like basket from Mill Street Florist. Bark, cones, grapevine and greens combine with colourful berries, a rich rose and demure, artificial apples.
Simple, natural displays can be all you need or want.
Consider that if you want red, winterberry and rosehips are entirely different in their effect…
While winterberry (left) is bold and lush and can be seen from a distance, rosehips (right) are much smaller and present a looser, more natural and spare effect.
Whatever you do, keep scale in mind. A small arrangement is best reserved for the mantle or table-scape, while a large (weatherproof) urn works best next to your entry.
Stuff, stuff, stuff; think about texture, movement and colour; and ensure it has impact.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money.
Search the woods for different conifers and snip branches selectively.
Use dried flowers like hydrangea and seedheads like those from sumac and wildflowers.
And don’t forget to add height with dogwood, curly willow, birch branches or whatever you fancy.
Make something special and enjoy your creation through the holidays and beyond.
HORTUS 2: There is life after retail 