November. It’s not quite winter, but pumpkin season is officially over. After you’ve put away the Fall decorations and cooked your pumpkin, it’s time to head outdoors to green up your decor again!
This is the perfect time to drop by Eisings to gather fresh greenery and decorations that are weather-resistant and hardy for your outdoor urns. Perfect because it’s that in-between time of year when autumn’s splendour starts to fade and temperatures begin to drop.
You can purchase urns that are already artistically filled with beautiful greenery and decorations, or you can find the supplies you need to fill an urn or pot you already have. Whether embellishing a premade urn or creating your own, here are some handy tips to help create a dramatic display.
“Planting” Medium
If you have had annuals or perennials in outdoor planters, don’t empty the soil - reuse it for your winter greenery! You may need a bag of soil to top it up, or ideally, you can use blocks of floral foam which can be purchased from our shop. These foam blocks can be nestled into the top of the soil and secured by crisscrossing a few pieces of tape across the top of the pot. If you’re starting with a fresh urn, find a pot that fits inside it and fill it with your planting medium. Soil and floral foam retain moisture for your fresh greens, and they also hold the plant material in place.
A Little Inspiration
Find some pictures online, or draw inspiration from the decorated planters at Eisings. Having a picture to work from will help you determine the supplies that you’ll need and how to arrange the items in your urn.
Gather Greens
Evergreen boughs will keep your planter looking fresh and green. Spruce, fir, pine and cedar branches will hold up well and retain their shape and colour throughout the holiday season.
Focal Points and Accents
Birch branches, curly willow, grapevine decorations, and dogwood branches all provide upright focal points with height in your planter.
Magnolia leaves, boxwood, inkberry and holly branches add texture and interest. Use pine cones, rose hips, faux berries, moss balls, seed pods, ornaments, and bows for some great final touches.
Adding lights will make the planter stand out and give it an ambiance that’s warm and inviting.
Build It!
1. Start by placing the item that you’ve chosen as the focal point in the middle of the planter. Pick a side that will become the front of the planter, and add everything else while you’re facing that side.
This is a good time to add battery-operated LED lights to upright posts and branches or insert a solar lantern.
2. Surround your focal point with evergreens by layering different boughs like cedar and pine, which are soft and hang down with more firm fir and spruce on top. This becomes the base or background for everything else in your planter.
3. Add accent pieces like dogwood, willow, holly and inkberry branches.
4. Embellish with decorations. This is a great way to fill in any blank spaces and draw your eyes in to focus on the details.
Begin by decorating with a cluster of pine cones, a bow or any decoration grouping in a lower section of the planter, then space out other decorations around the planter. Later, as the holidays draw near, you may want to add some Christmas decorations as well.
Helpful Tips:
- Find a good sturdy “poker” (a screwdriver or a strong bamboo stake) to make holes in the soil or foam blocks, allowing you to insert smaller branches and delicate seed pods or ornaments easily. You may need to secure smaller items onto sticks or some of the stronger branches in the planter by wrapping wire around them.
- Don’t forget to water your arrangement to help your greens stay fresh longer!
In winter, the blanket of snow and grey winter skies can create a somewhat monotonous landscape. That’s when greenery urns make a big difference. Blending evergreen boughs with rustic and seasonal accents and some lights creates a welcoming outdoor display for November and beyond. Just be sure to use materials that can hold up to the frost, wind and snow that will be coming!
Other Resources
https://eising.ca/how-to-decorate-with-fresh-greenery-for-christmas/
https://eising.ca/holiday-home-decor-ideas-you-can-make-yourself/
https://eising.ca/holiday-decorating-tips/
Ah, the smell of fresh greenery! There’s something extra special about decorating for Christmas with fresh evergreen branches.
The holidays are the best time to bring the outdoors in. After all, what better time is there than when we’re longing for some green in a winter world that’s predominantly brown, or snowy white? Or, you may simply be searching for the nostalgic smell and sight of fresh holiday decorations.
In southern Ontario, evergreens last the longest outdoors during our winters. But how do you keep your pine, cedar, fir and spruce branches looking fresh and lovely all season long? Give these tips a try.
Start Fresh
Whether you are making decorations, or buying them, start with freshly harvested branches.
Cut each stem on an angle to increase the water absorption rate, and place the stems in a bucket of water for several hours before using them. As you’re cutting each branch, be sure to check for any pests first.
At this point, your greens are ready to arrange into wreaths, swags, garlands, containers or whatever you’re making.
For indoor arrangements, oasis or floral foam that has been soaked in water, and secured in your container creates a solid base to work with. Fill outdoor urns or containers with moist soil, or a combination of oasis and damp soil to insert the branches into and hold them in place. Both methods will help to keep your plant material hydrated.
Prevent Dehydration
Before adding decorative elements, lightly mist your evergreen arrangements, wreaths, swags and garlands with an anti-dessicant spray. Doing this provides a protective barrier and reduces moisture loss.
Placement and Care
Keep outdoor arrangements sheltered from direct sunlight and strong winds if possible. Likewise, keep indoor arrangements away from sunlight, and heat sources like vents and radiators.
Evergreens can dry out very quickly. Keep arrangements watered (for outdoor arrangements, water when the soil is not frozen), and mist garlands, swags, and wreaths with water frequently. Avoid overwatering though! It’s a good idea to water or mist in the morning so that any excess moisture evaporates or can be drained if not absorbed after about an hour.
Following these steps should keep your decorations looking fresh through the holiday season and beyond!
If you would like more help with homemade decorating ideas, check out our DIY Fresh Evergreen Decor guide and our Holiday Home Decor Ideas.
Or, stop by and see us at Eising Greenhouses and Garden Centre in Simcoe for inspiration and choose from our selection of:
- fresh greenery branches
- undecorated arrangements
- decorated arrangements
- Poinsettias
- Christmas Cactus
- Kalanchoe
- Amaryllis
- Paperwhites and more!
If you’re heading to a holiday party, we have lots to choose from as gifts, or items to add to your arrangements, or to fill a spot in your home that needs a little extra holiday cheer!
