It is halfway through December and not only are we not out in our gardens as much as we like, it’s time to decorate for Christmas! Why not enjoy a quick forage in your garden with your secateurs to collect supplies for decorating the home?
Wreaths, swags and garlands can easily be made with a variety of plant materials from your garden such as Spruce, Cedar, Buxus, Holly (variegated add interest) Magnolia, Bay - you name it. My mother has one made of Eucalyptus! Using a wire ring frame (single for more delicate wreaths, double for more lush), lay a small bundle on the frame and tightly wrap floral wire around the stems three times. Without cutting the wire, repeat, covering the entire circle; move wire to the back, knot and cut. After frame is covered, be sure to leave extra wire for hanging before you cut and tie. For colour, find fruits from your garden - Cotoneaster, Skimmia and Pine cones. Jingle bells and ribbons can be added last. Powerscourt Garden Pavilion has light battery-operated lanterns that can hang in the middle for an extra glow.
Here are more simple ways of using your garden to decorate for Christmas:
1 - Submerge a wide candle carefully in boiling water using tongs (1-2 minutes). Place candle on parchment paper and quickly add flowers and leaves (such as Holly or Ivy) to the outside. Submerge again to coat and seal (1 minute).
2 - Pine cones on the mantle alternately arranged with family memorabilia representing the closing year – pictures, trophies, children projects and candles.
3 - Bring in your big pine cones and size them up with our smaller indoor or outdoor pots. When inserted, decorate as mini Christmas trees for all the rooms in the house. Go modern - paint the cones with our silver or gold spray paint.
4 - Christmas wall decorations or coasters made with log discs. Print an image of winter or wild life to iron on transfer paper and apply to discs using manufacturer’s instructions. Finish with gloss sealer.
At Powerscourt Garden Pavilion, we are packed with Poinsettias (white and red), large Cyclamen of various colours, Ivies, Skimmias and more that can be added to your garden finds. These can easily be arranged with our candles, festive table runners or berry swags to make your home really feel like Christmas.
Have a happy Christmas!
Mary Weiss
Horticulturalist at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion
Wreaths, swags and garlands can easily be made with a variety of plant materials from your garden such as Spruce, Cedar, Buxus, Holly (variegated add interest) Magnolia, Bay - you name it. My mother has one made of Eucalyptus! Using a wire ring frame (single for more delicate wreaths, double for more lush), lay a small bundle on the frame and tightly wrap floral wire around the stems three times. Without cutting the wire, repeat, covering the entire circle; move wire to the back, knot and cut. After frame is covered, be sure to leave extra wire for hanging before you cut and tie. For colour, find fruits from your garden - Cotoneaster, Skimmia and Pine cones. Jingle bells and ribbons can be added last. Powerscourt Garden Pavilion has light battery-operated lanterns that can hang in the middle for an extra glow.
Here are more simple ways of using your garden to decorate for Christmas:
1 - Submerge a wide candle carefully in boiling water using tongs (1-2 minutes). Place candle on parchment paper and quickly add flowers and leaves (such as Holly or Ivy) to the outside. Submerge again to coat and seal (1 minute).
2 - Pine cones on the mantle alternately arranged with family memorabilia representing the closing year – pictures, trophies, children projects and candles.
3 - Bring in your big pine cones and size them up with our smaller indoor or outdoor pots. When inserted, decorate as mini Christmas trees for all the rooms in the house. Go modern - paint the cones with our silver or gold spray paint.
4 - Christmas wall decorations or coasters made with log discs. Print an image of winter or wild life to iron on transfer paper and apply to discs using manufacturer’s instructions. Finish with gloss sealer.
At Powerscourt Garden Pavilion, we are packed with Poinsettias (white and red), large Cyclamen of various colours, Ivies, Skimmias and more that can be added to your garden finds. These can easily be arranged with our candles, festive table runners or berry swags to make your home really feel like Christmas.
Have a happy Christmas!
Mary Weiss
Horticulturalist at Powerscourt Garden Pavilion 
