Living Holiday Decor

Potted plants instantly add life to any space any time of the year. Try using holiday plants in the place of cut foliage this year. Plants are easily moved around your space as you prepare for different holiday functions and can be "recharged" outside when need be. There are many suitable plants to choose from that you might not associate with the holidays. Try potted evergreens, boxwood and fir trees. Even herb topiaries are great and can do double duty in the kitchen for use in holiday recipes.

A bright floral display and fragrant aroma is always welcome in winter, but cut flowers fade all too quickly most of the time. Forcing flowering bulbs in winter keeps the blooms around much longer than cut florals.

Hyacinths, crocus, and narcissus bulbs can be forced in special glass vases with water. They can also be grown in shallow dishes of water filled with pebbles. Bulbs should be secured in the pebbles deeply enough so that its base is in contact with the water. Keep them in a cool, dark room for several weeks to ensure root growth. After roots have grown, place in a sunny location. Each bulb will send up several flower stems bearing many tiny blossoms. Once the flowers begin to open, take the plants out of direct sunlight to prolong the bloom.

Note: Unlike the bulbs planted in the ground, these plants are not able to regenerate and should be discarded.

Classic holiday wreaths are made using cut foliage without a water source and can last for several weeks, but ultimately dry up and drop. Holiday wreaths made from living plants and materials will last for months and can be repurposed after the holidays. However, your wreath will need a bit of watering and maintenance to stay fresh! Add miniature orchids, succulents or small herb plants into the moss to add color, texture and visual interest.

Start with a floral foam wreath form and securely pin the moss to the form, then add your small plants making sure to cover the root balls with moss to keep from drying out. If you are hanging your wreath, take extra care in securing your plants by using thin, pliable wire. Living wreaths can also make great centerpieces. Try combining your wreath with candles floating in colored water for a vibrant tabletop décor.

In this video, I show you how to breath life into your holiday decor.

Living Holiday Décor from Mark Addison Media on Vimeo.