Today, regular GPOD contributor Cherry Ong in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, is sharing her from-the-garden season decorations:
Given COVID and all the chaos surrounding it, I’ve found relief and refuge in the garden. I am sad that gardening season is over, so I am looking into making natural holiday decor from a mix of store-bought greens, foraged finds from the garden, and from my own collection over the years. As usual, I am looking through last year’s wreaths and made items, and I am visiting local nurseries to get inspired to create.
Last year, I was lucky enough to attend one of Thomas Hobbs’s wreath-making classes. He taught us how to add bling to our wreaths. The wreath that I made for that class was hung on our front door. I made another for the back door, and the rest were gifts for family and friends, which I’m happy to report were all well received.
I also found some lanterns from Costco and jazzed them up. I used fresh pomegranates and pepper berries, and they lasted for months.
For indoors, I used different pine cones to create a woodland arrangement adorned with the same mushroom ornaments as on the front-door wreath. Tillandsias were sprinkled around the tables—they’re so great to have as houseplants since they can be moved around to adorn any area when needed. Fairy lights really add to that festive mood when tucked into these arrangements.
We will likely have a small and cozy holiday celebration this year, though I am still looking forward to decorating, cooking, and spending time with my family.
Wishing you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving and winter holiday season! We will get through this.
This is the wreath that I made at Thomas Hobbs’s wreath-making class. The natural ingredients provided for this class were quite generous as you can see: seeded eucalyptus, pepperberries, alpine huck branches, and pine branches. A variety of glitter ornaments were also provided. I used the ornaments provided for another wreath and instead used mushroom ornaments, other smaller ornaments, and frosted pine cones.
I made this wreath at home using cuttings from my Senecio candicans ‘Angel Wings’, Thuja ‘Forever Goldie’, pine cones that were lying around, and purchased viburnum berries and eucalyptus pods. The ornaments really do brighten up the wreath day or night.
Ornaments, pepperberries, a pomegranate, and a few more evergreens and branches jazz up this lantern.
To make this wreath, which I put together as a gift, I used cuttings from the garden: Callicarpa bodinieri berries, Thuja ‘Forever Goldie’, Buxus sempervirens ‘Variegata’, Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans’, and Osmanthus ‘Goshiki’, along with store-bought items as well as faux berries and ornaments. I made several wreaths like this. They were fun to make and even more fun to deliver as presents.
Another wreath made to give as a gift.
Detail of a wreath made to give as a gift.
I have a huge tub of assorted pine cones that I’ve collected over the years. It’s nice to be able to pick up a bunch of them and just arrange them in what suits my fancy. This was the arrangement I came up with last year. They’re the same mushroom ornaments as on the front-door wreath.
Tillandsias were sprinkled around the tables. They’re so great to have as houseplants since they can be moved around to adorn any area when needed. Fairy lights really add to that festive mood when tucked into these arrangements.
Another arrangement featuring a tillandsia.
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Comments
I was feeling inclined to scale down this year but either "gosh darn you, Cherry" or "Thank you so much, Cherry", since your photos and commentary have relit the fire. I feel reenergized and my creativity is waking up from its slumber. Yep, it's "Thank you so much, Cherry".
LOL! I'm glad you've been infected with holiday cheer. Hope to see photos of your holiday creations soon. Sending my warmest regards (and to Darwin too)!
Absolutely beautiful, Cherry. You are so talented.
Thank you.
Very artistic- stunningly beautiful!
Wow those would be so expensive to buy in a store, (a mere strand of plain pine was $25. at the store I go to!) but you've made them from garden cuttings and they're priceless!
Thank you. Surprised to find the wreath prices at Costco go up by 33% this year. I find making swags is more economical when one is on a budget but I have to admit wreaths make a most welcoming sight on any door. Wishing you and your family a happy holiday!
These are simply stunning! Foraging, if possible is the way to go. Love the adorable accents you have chosen. This is an inspiring post!
I love to forage! So glad you agree. Nature makes the finest ingredients and I am so grateful for my little garden and containers. Wishing you and your family a happy holidays!
Cherry - thank you for sharing your terrific and imaginative creations! I especially like the wreath with the glitter mushroom ornaments, the metal tub with the pine cones etc, and the Tillandsia with the large silver ball and blown glass ball and fairy lights.
Thanks! Our love for plants makes holiday creating much more fun and easy right? Wishing you and your family a happy holidays!
Thanks for sharing Cherry. As always, your arrangements blow me away. Unique and charming. Happy post-Thanksgiving and best for the season ahead. I hope we will get a chance to see your holiday containers as well:)
Thank you. Belated happy thanksgiving and happy holidays to you and your family! Planted winter containers for my GF Sylvia a couple of weeks ago so hoping to send photos of those. I have to confess I haven't planted my winter containers yet. Hopefully real soon.
Ahh Cherry, your talent and imagination are limitless. Thank you for sharing your beautifully creative skill!
Thanks Kielian. Wishing you and the family the happiest holidays!
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