Get Festive with Creative Gardens

Surrounding homes and businesses with colorful greenery is the specialty of My Creative Gardens. Owner Jamie Snyder provides unique plant designs to enhance both residential and commercial environments at such businesses as The Strathallan, Genesee Valley Club, and several St. Ann’s Community locations. Full of benefits, greenery has been found to improve mental health and productivity, keep the air cleaner, and add moisture and beauty to a space.

Jamie is not your typical gardener. Primarily providing container gardening, she grows all her own plants and flowers, bringing tropical ones in as needed. These are used to infuse live potted plants with artificial and preserved elements, enhancing any space with elegance.

Passionate about plants, flowers, and color, Jamie brings her distinctive design, artistry, passion, and knowledge to every project. Her love affair with plants and flowers began while she was growing up on a Niagara County, NY farm. After graduating with a Landscape Design Degree from SUNY Morrisville, she acquired a job at a home & garden store where she was introduced to a variety of flower containers. Her passion “grew” from there!

Bringing joy to life, Jamie creates floral arrangements and teaches others how to create their own, as well. She suggests getting your hands in the dirt and discovering the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that comes with a personalized pot. Check her My Creative Gardens website for upcoming classes.

Plants aren’t Jamie’s only “green” interest. She also provides sustainable arrangements which incorporate a combination of potted plants infused with dried, silk, or wood flowers. Afterward, these unique artful treasures can be taken home for lasting inspirational beauty.

The holidays are the perfect time to give loved ones a gift that keeps on growing! Jamie has an abundance of gift inspirations for every season. Holiday favorites include wreaths, hanging baskets, centerpieces, and porch pots. A “perennial” favorite, porch pots add a touch of festive décor to your porch and entryways.

JAMIE’S 7-STEP DIY PORCH POT

One. Use a soil base to keep your greens stable. Remember, your soil could freeze if left outside, so keep it indoors until you are ready to use it.

Two. Cut a variety of evergreens such as Norway spruce, white pine, and blue spruce. We cut our trees fresh from a local farmer that can no longer sell them because they have gotten too big!

Three. Once the greens are in place, add color with faux berries, spiral eucalyptus, or salal leaves. For bling, include a faux stem that has some sparkle to it!

Four. Use other flowers from the garden like hydrangea, teasel, Siberian iris pods, allium heads, astilbe flowers, and autumn joy sedum. Pick the allium and astilbe flowers once the color has passed to prevent them from drying too much and becoming brittle.

Five. Add dogwood or willow branches to create additional height and interest. When using birch poles, add them when you place your greens.

Six. Attach pinecones and ribbon to the front of your pot as a finishing touch. Add water to your pot to help the soil freeze and make your pot heavier so that it doesn’t blow over.

Seven. Enjoy your creation!

To find more inspiration and follow along with Jamie's work, go to mycreativegardens.com, follow @mycreativegardens on Facebook & @creative_gardens_585 on Instagram