Bayscape Blog 11/07/10
“Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly”
By Judy DeFiglio
The holiday season is upon us, and as I start to decorate my home I am reminded of yet another reason to “go native”. Native plants don’t only add beauty to your garden but can also be used to beautify your interior as well. Start singing “Deck the Halls” and head outside.
First stop, the American holly (ilex opaca) with stiff branches of dark green holly leaves and bright red berries. Nothing is more festive. Snip some holly to bring inside, but handle with care, the leaves are very sharp. I recommend placing the holly in a vase with water, if not it dries out quickly. Another native holly, inkberry holly (ilex glabra) has small, smooth, green leaves similar to boxwood and black berries that will add to your holiday décor.
It wouldn’t be Christmas without some evergreen boughs. Pines, spruce and even Easter red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) with its blue fruit, can be used to decorate, and your house will smell great too. Again, use care because the needles can be sharp. Also be careful with the placement of these branches since they may ooze sap which could damage surfaces.
My favorite native to use for winter decorating is the red twig dogwood (Cornus sericea). It’s not the flower display that’s the star of this dogwood, it’s the stems. They turn a spectacular red in winter. They look great against the snow and add color to the winter garden, but they also make an interesting, colorful accent inside. This dogwood likes to be pruned so feel free to cut as many branches as you want. The new growth is the reddest. An added bonus, several of my branches have rooted in the vase and I planted them back in the garden in spring. Virginia sweet spire (Itea virginica) also has reddish stems that can make a nice addition to a holiday arrangement.
The large flower heads of the oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) can be dried and added to wreaths and decorations. You can also snip the seed heads of our native grasses to bring indoors. Try Northern Sea Oats (chasmanthium latifolium)or switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) for a unique look.
This holiday season let’s celebrate the beauty of nature. Let your native plants do double duty and deck your halls with boughs of real holly instead of plastic imitations. Mother Earth is giving you a beautiful gift. Enjoy.
“Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly”
By Judy DeFiglio
The holiday season is upon us, and as I start to decorate my home I am reminded of yet another reason to “go native”. Native plants don’t only add beauty to your garden but can also be used to beautify your interior as well. Start singing “Deck the Halls” and head outside.
First stop, the American holly (ilex opaca) with stiff branches of dark green holly leaves and bright red berries. Nothing is more festive. Snip some holly to bring inside, but handle with care, the leaves are very sharp. I recommend placing the holly in a vase with water, if not it dries out quickly. Another native holly, inkberry holly (ilex glabra) has small, smooth, green leaves similar to boxwood and black berries that will add to your holiday décor.
It wouldn’t be Christmas without some evergreen boughs. Pines, spruce and even Easter red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) with its blue fruit, can be used to decorate, and your house will smell great too. Again, use care because the needles can be sharp. Also be careful with the placement of these branches since they may ooze sap which could damage surfaces.
My favorite native to use for winter decorating is the red twig dogwood (Cornus sericea). It’s not the flower display that’s the star of this dogwood, it’s the stems. They turn a spectacular red in winter. They look great against the snow and add color to the winter garden, but they also make an interesting, colorful accent inside. This dogwood likes to be pruned so feel free to cut as many branches as you want. The new growth is the reddest. An added bonus, several of my branches have rooted in the vase and I planted them back in the garden in spring. Virginia sweet spire (Itea virginica) also has reddish stems that can make a nice addition to a holiday arrangement.
The large flower heads of the oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) can be dried and added to wreaths and decorations. You can also snip the seed heads of our native grasses to bring indoors. Try Northern Sea Oats (chasmanthium latifolium)or switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) for a unique look.
This holiday season let’s celebrate the beauty of nature. Let your native plants do double duty and deck your halls with boughs of real holly instead of plastic imitations. Mother Earth is giving you a beautiful gift. Enjoy.
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