Home With Mommy: Christmas in the Garden

As nurseries started to get the Christmas Wreaths in, back in November, I also saw some loose branches on sale. I didn't really understand what they are for, until the Fine Gardening Winter arrangement contest. Apparently, you can either buy these coniferous clippings or search your yard for clippings of your own. Then, you put them in a pot with soil combined with anything you want such as bare branches painted white and berries.

I didn't make one of those this year. I would probably be good at it and it's decorating so I know I would enjoy it. I don't know where I would put it at my place since I already have that Spruce at the bottom of my stairs. Maybe I'll make this arrangement next year and put it in front of the Spruce.

I would start with a few pine branches in the back. I love pines and those long needles are a great frame for something more complex in front. Then in the middle I would add some Spruce branches. They compliment the Pines in color but have a different texture. In front of the Spruces I would put some branches with berries. Barberry bushes have needles on them so I would stay away from those but this might be a great place to add holly branches featuring the berries and the unique leaves. In the very front I would put Ivy clippings spilling over the edge. Behind the pines I would put two or three white bare branches to catch the eye and add color variety.

One of my favorite things to do at this time of the year is to walk around and see the Christmas lights people have used. I love the light up wreaths and classic white lights along the houses. In the past, I always just had snowflakes that would stay up all Winter. The woman upstairs wasn't a decoration person, so she was fine with the snowflakes but didn't want more.

But she moved out this year and now I can have Christmas decorations no matter who moves in. Only because my decorations are Candy Canes that light up. I have gift boxes in Zach's garden. Even a Jewish person will probably be okay with those. I receive a lot of compliments on them.

When it snowed recently I took pictures. I've also taken pictures of them lit up to preserve the memory. On January 1st we put the Candy Canes and Gifts away. The snowflakes will be the only decoration left in my garden and the Pines will be all that's left in Zach's. The wreath comes off the door and the tree goes back in the garage. That's the January Decorating Day. It's been nice having some variety to what the garden looks like in Winter. Here are those pictures of my Christmas garden: