December 11, 2009
Turn Garden Bounty into Holiday Decorations
I expect many of you are like me, busy trying to finish up your holiday decorations. If you have a bare spot that you would like to fill, don’t forget the bounty in your garden. Almost every garden has something that can be used to add a little Christmas cheer.
In my garden and landscape, here are a couple of plants that I regularly use as part of my holiday decorations.
Magnolia — leaves and pods
Holly — leaves and berries
Rosemary — small cuttings
Wax myrtle — small branches
Nandina — leaves and berries
Sweetgum — bare branches especially those with winged fringe View image
The ideas are endless for using natural materials in decorations. Check out these links for ideas on how to use natural materials as well as ideas on plants to add to your landscape.
How to Craft a Christmas Wreath from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Holiday Decorating with Fresh Greenery from Clemson Extension
Gardens Can Provide Holiday Decorations and Care Needed for Holiday Greenery from eXtension
Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas from The Grumpy Gardener (Steve Bender, senior writer with Southern Living)