Using native flora, simple textures, and pops of color, create beautiful displays without expensive, imported greenery
Instead of heading to the store to peck up some greenery to create your winter centrepiece and vacation decorations , why not look in your own backyard ? Here are three design ideas for holiday décor that use everything you ’re already growing in your Southwest gardens .
Lime boughs, seedpods, pumpkins, and succulents create an offbeat table centerpiece.
While we were out trimming back some shrubs , we cut back a few branches from our sweet , yet frost tender , key lime ( Zones 8b–10 ) . Instead of composting the leafy branches , we brought them in spite of appearance to use as greenery on our dining board . We copulate those vivacious lime hydrate outgrowth along with some seedpods we ’ve accumulate over the years , some miniature pumpkins from our local pumpkin farm , and most importantly , a couple of thread - foliage agaves ( Agave filifera , Zones 9–11 ) , which we will presently place in our garden . Using cacti and succulents as table décor not only look beautiful , but it ’s a marvellous way to incorporate the natural smasher from the open air inside .
Succulents and felted balls weave around each other for a simple holiday scene.
For this pattern , we included more succulents , which we will be able-bodied to constitute once we ’re done with them . This time , we used some ‘ Marne ’ hens and skirt ( Sempervium‘Marne ’ , Zones 3–9 ) alongside more thread - folio agave . Using perennials like this in your mesa décor creates a genuinely unique look specific to our region . We then paired these ‘ Marne ’ hen and chicks with a string of mat up balls , which are fun to apply on board and mantles alike .
A discarded wreath becomes a beautiful table centerpiece with just a few additions.
While out in the garden , we also trimmed a few blooming to utilise in our décor . We had a fun artificial coronal in which we placed a large hurricane . We then surrounded the wreath with some nance or light lights . We then finish off the look with those blooms we had trimmed off earlier . These included Baja fairy dustcloth ( Calliandra californica , Zones 9–11 ) , Bells of Fire ™ esperanza ( Tecoma stans‘TEC6010916 ’ , Zones 9–11 ) , and chuparosa ( Justicia californica , Zones 8–9 ) .
String lights and dressed-up garden plants add cheer and whimsy to the outdoors.
For our outside , we wish to grab some strands of holiday luminosity and wrap some cacti . If you have a saguaro ( Carnegiea gigantea , Zones 8–11 ) or a thenar , there ’s nothing more southwesterly than the looking at of these plant lit up in the eve . We have also been known to put some cosmetic foam ornaments on the points of our century plant . It ’s a fun and playful manner to bring some vacation spirit to our landscape .
Using works that are either from your garden or décor that can be planted in your garden later is a winnings - win in our Holy Scripture . Is n’t it better to continually supply to your landscape painting every vacation season alternatively of throw away unsalvageable greenery ? Have merriment create your own unique centerpieces and holiday décor this year ! Remember , these centerpieces do n’t need to be elaborate . Just adding a bit of color , grain , and local plant living will really make the looks amount together .
— Sheila Schultz and Laurel Startzel are a mother - girl duo who constitute Denver Dirty daughter Container Gardening while live in Denver and have continued their business since moving to Tucson , Arizona .
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Mix household decorations with potted plants and Southwestern foliage and flowers for a simple yet elegant holiday centerpiece display.Photo: Laurel Startzel
Potted plants mixed among decoration materials can be planted out in the garden later.Photo: Laurel Startzel
This minimalistic centerpiece relies on pops of color, simple textures, and guiding the eye around the table.Photo: Laurel Startzel
A simple plastic wreath is transformed with some spray paint and Southwestern flowers.
Nothing says the holidays are approaching like string lights. Consider what kinds of treelike structures in your yard can sport some bright lights at this time of year.Photo: Laurel Startzel
