IF you took advantage of the earlier unseasonal weather we had to prep your existing outdoor pots before the soil froze, it's simple to revitalize one or two of your containers for a fresh and seasonal display.
By removing the top 12 inches of existing soil and turning up the remainder your pots will survive the freezing and thawing that occur in our winter climate. This gives room for an insert pot filled with seasonal materials to be placed in the opening and easily removed as the season changes without the hassle of stems frozen into the existing soil.
Local garden centres have plenty of beautiful new containers to choose from at this time of year. Consider choosing the largest size available within your budget since his will help in the growing months when watering is an issue.
Next, think in terms of colour: complement your home's exterior by contrasting. For example, if you have a lighter facade, choose a darker pot or vice versa. Look at curved or square lines as the shape or style of the container can also complement the flow of other elements that exist in the space.
Once you have your container, placement is key to creating the desired curb appeal. Look at your house from street level and think about where you want to focus attention. If you live in a condo or apartment, consider where the best view is to the outside and complement it with the placement of your arrangement. Don't forget to think about the ease of snow removal and ensure the container isn't in the way.
Now you're ready to prepare for a stunning holiday welcome! Whether you purchase a pre-made arrangement or create your own custom look, using fresh materials adds that bit of charm. Scale is important, so the arrangement should be as big as your space will allow, keeping the height the same as or taller as the height of your container. By adding branches such as red dogwood, white birch, or curly willow, you can give your creation instant height. Try to avoid covering your house numbers, mailbox and outside lighting.
When purchasing fresh evergreens, it's best to choose three different varieties that complement each other and then add one special accent material to create a focal point or colour contrast. Keep it natural with found materials like branches, red berries and pine cones. For something with a bit of sparkle, try adding some large-scale plastic ornaments or artificial branches with glitter that will catch and reflect light.
If you have an outlet close by, you could even add some branch lights or mini-lights wrapped around the base of your arrangement for that 'upglow' effect. Solar lights are also fun (and environmentally friendly, too). There are even new entries on the market that have the look of ball-shaped ornaments.
When building your display, start with your base. I've found that using an insert pot filled with soil that is firmly packed into the pot will provide a perfect medium to hold fresh stems. Working with one variety of fresh evergreen at a time, begin building the shape using the 'thrill, fill and spill' method. Starting with the 'spill,' select the evergreen that will flow over the edge of your pot. Work your way up to the 'fill' component by angling the stems upward. This will form some height while also softening the height you choose for your 'thrill' material.
Once you have your form built, step back to make sure you like the way it flows. At this point you can add some accent materials to create a focal point to your piece. As you build, keep stepping back to get a visual to make sure you like how it looks. To keep it balanced and in place, you can add some water once you place your arrangement in your outdoor planter. This also serves to keep any of your decorative materials in place as well.
Have some fun with creating a beautiful outdoor display that will welcome you home every day, give pleasure to your neighbours and guests, and be a joyful memory as well.
Sharlene Nielsen is the owner of Front Door Stories. She travels throughout the province giving workshops and presentations on how to create outdoor displays with the fresh, natural materials that nature provides. For more information please visit www.frontdoorstories.com.
