This year, I’m giving myself a gardening gift. Actually, it’s a New Year’s gardening resolution and a gift all in one. I plan to convert a portion of one of my cutting garden beds into a Christmas garden for growing shrubs, perennials, annuals, and herbs that can be used for Christmas decorating. Right now, what I have in my landscape for holiday use is pretty limited. It would be great to be able to head out to the yard and gather fresh greens throughout the holidays. Making your own wreaths, garlands, centerpieces, and more can become a fun holiday tradition and is especially rewarding when you grow your own natural materials.
Greens can be expensive to purchase and may not include the varieties you are looking for. Planting your own shrubs, trees, perennials, and even annuals for holiday decorations is a great way to personalize your Christmas decor and always have a supply of materials on hand.
Decorating with greens during the winter holidays is an ancient tradition. Evergreens represent life and hope for the return of spring. Incorporating evergreens in your landscape not only provides material to bring inside but also keeps your landscape looking beautiful year-round. Remember, when using evergreens and other harvested plant materials inside, keep them in as cool a location as possible. Try for spots that are out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources and candles. As greens dry out, remove, and if desired, replace with fresh greens and natural materials.
Landscape shrubs like holly, juniper, arborvitae, cedar, etc., can take a long time to become established, so plan accordingly. I wish I had started growing more landscape plants for holiday harvest years ago. When you do harvest, remember that you are actually pruning your plant. Distribute cuts evenly.
Evergreens like pine, fir, and cedar do well when brought inside after harvest as they dry out slowly. Spruce and broadleaf evergreens are better for wreaths, garlands, and arrangements that will remain outside. I do, however, bring some boxwood into the house at Christmas. It can have a pungent odor, but I find the odor diminishes after harvest.
As you plan your garden, think about including varieties of evergreens that have variegated leaves. Variegated holly is beautiful, as are variegated ivies. I have a potted ivy that goes outside in summer and comes inside in winter. I will begin harvesting it for holiday decorating this year. Ivy holds up well out of water and can be included in wreaths, arrangements, or simply placed down the middle of the table to create a centerpiece garland. It looks great embellishing a special holiday gift package, and if you set up a Nativity scene, it is wonderful to have ivy and other greens to decorate the display.
Don’t forget bare branches, which are great for creating winter arrangements in outdoor pots. Red osier dogwood is a classic example – the branches are a deep red color. Herbs are another great option. Sage is beautiful in wreaths and arrangements, as is rosemary. These plants can also be grown in pots and brought in for holiday and winter displays. Rosehips, holly berries, pine cones, and various seed heads can also be used for decorating.
Take a look at the seed catalogs that will be showing up in the mailbox soon. Think about annual flowers that can be grown for drying. These make stunning additions to wreaths and can be used to make dried arrangements that will last all winter. Dried hydrangea blooms and other dried florals like larkspur and cock’s comb (celosia) make fantastic additions to your Christmas tree.
This holiday season, give yourself the gift of a theme garden makeover. It’s a great way to add new life to your yard and may even lead to new holiday traditions in the years to come.
