Winter Decorations

In the winter months you can still be creative with attractive mixed containers for your front porch. And in most cases it’s free. I’m going to use the tried and true thriller, filler and spiller recipe. To get started I’ll collect plant material from the grounds at the Coastal Research and Extension Center. All of the branches and materials should be about three foot long, we can always trim them back. For the thriller I’m choosing these long crape myrtle branches with last season’s seed pods. To add a dramatic touch I’m going to spray paint these white and gold. For the fillers let’s select some Southern magnolia branches. It’s appropriate that the state tree of Mississippi anchors the arrangement. I also want to add bunches of the Mississippi native Eastern red cedar as finer textured filler material. For the spillers I’m choosing the weeping yaupon holly. These will sprawl out over the container edge and display those gorgeous translucent bright red berries. Now let’s put the arrangement together using this old galvanized florist can that has the look of being well-weathered. The arrangement should be in proportion to the container. For this arrangement I’m keeping the height about two times as tall as the florist can. Now what I think is the best part of a winter arrangement like this is you don’t have to remember to water it. I’m horticulturist Gary Bachman and I’ll see you next time on Southern Gardening.