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Summer planters can be used in winter

In the summer planters are full of color and shapes. The eye is naturally drawn to the area but winter is another story. Planters are either empty or contain dead frozen or broken plants.Planting live plants would be foolish but carefully placing evergreen boughs to make an arrangement can be very attractive.
Linda Tomlinson mug gardening columnist
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In the summer planters are full of color and shapes.

The eye is naturally drawn to the area but winter is another story. Planters are either empty or contain dead frozen or broken plants.

Planting live plants would be foolish but carefully placing evergreen boughs to make an arrangement can be very attractive.

Start by collecting 2 or 3 different types of evergreens.

The different colors and textures will add to the overall display.

It is possible to purchase live material from florists or live trees from tree lots. For those that want to go further afield get a permit to cut down a tree or two in the west country.

When choosing live materials check to insure the branches are pliable and not shedding green needles. The fresher the material the longer the arrangement will stay attractive.

Artificial plant material also works. It has the advantage of being able to be used for more than one season. The price of artificial materials often reflects how close it mimics the real thing.

If there is pliable soil in the planter it can be used to hold and secure the arrangement. If the planter is empty place and secure foam or oasis inside the container.

A simple rule of thumb for basic design is that the arrangement should be approximately 1 ½ times as high as the planter. The first boughs placed in the arrangement should define the height of the overall display.

The next 2 to 4 branches should be the same variety as the first.

They are to extend outwards touching the edge of the planter defining the width of the overall design.

Once the basic shape is in place, fill in with other plant material keeping within those parameters.

Add color to the arrangement by adding berries, ribbons, cones, artificial flowers or ornaments. Choose colors that will enhance the house or building.

For those that want to keep the plants past Christmas, choose to make it look like a winter arrangement as opposed to a Christmas one.

Wreaths and swags are often used to adorn the outside of buildings. They too add color and a feeling of the holiday season.

The simplest way to make an evergreen wreath is to wire short evergreen branches to a metal wreath form. All branches are faced in the same direction until it forms a complete circle. Decorations and ribbons are them added to enhance the wreath’s appearance.

A swag is shaped like a broom end. Start with about 3 overlapping branches; making sure that the cut ends are together. Next add a couple shorter branches of a different type of evergreen. The first layer should still be visible. Lastly add a short branch or two of the original evergreen material.

Take a thin wire and wrap it tightly around all the stub ends making sure that they are secure and will not move. There is a good chance that the branches will shift as they are being wrapped. Take time to reposition them into an attractive fan shape.

Once the green material is secured, use what is left of the wire to form a loop to hang the swag.

Add a large ribbon to cover all the wire and allow it to hang down the branches. Glue or wire an ornament or two to the swag to add a festive air.

In cool weather, where the greener does not transpire and loose moisture natural greens will stay viable for a couple of months. The lifespan is much shorter when the materials are in warm or sunny location. Either way the greens brighten up the grey and white of winter.

Linda Tomlinson is a local horticulturalist that lives near Rocky Mountain House. She can be reached at www.igardencanada.com or your_garden@hotmail.com