Holiday Planters

THE COLD REALITY in Alberta is that we can’t enjoy our outdoor gardens with the ground frozen under several feet of snow. But winter doesn’t have to be a buzzkill for gardeners and plant lovers —‘tis the season for winter planters.

We turned to Valerie Loseth at the Wheelbarrow Gardener and Florist for inspiration and how-to on creating a winter planter that comes alive with festive foliage.

A Few Ideas to Get You Started

1. Be Creative with Containers. Nothing says ‘wow’ like a huge classic urn at the front door spilling beautiful decorated winter greenery. No space for a large urn? No problem. Put urns at either side of your garage door instead, or try lining your steps with an assortment of small containers. Make an impression with containers that are quirky or unexpected—think watering cans or vintage crates.

2. Hang It Up. Repurpose hanging baskets from summer. A charming look is to plant winter foliage in a collection of three baskets hung in a cluster at different lengths, or hang baskets in varying colours, sizes and shapes at welcoming points around your home.

Steps for Creating Your Winter Planter

1. Choose a decorative container. Consider where you want to place your planter and be sure your container will fit the space. Place a plastic container inside and fill it with floral foam. You can also cover it with chicken wire for stronger support.

2. Fill in the back with cedar boughs. This is a good starting point to create some height. Next, insert a few boughs around the rim to cover the edges of the container. Then, start filling the centre with greens. Keep like or similar varieties together for a blocked look, or intermix foliage, branches, and other materials for a softer appearance.