Create the most beautiful Christmas decorations from your own hedge plants
Hedge plants are always a good idea in your garden. They are beautiful, give off a nice fragrance, attract birds and other animals, provide privacy and keep out wind and burglars. What you might not think of is that you can also use the greenery and berries of your hedge plants to decorate your house or garden table. It's cheap and fun too. Especially with Christmas around the corner, you can make the most beautiful and creative Christmas decorations yourself, using things that are readily available at home. Don't have a clue yet or do you need help with this? Then read this blog for some much needed inspiration.
The basis of a Christmas arrangement is green
The most important part of a Christmas arrangement is the green. A Conifer, Juniper, Yew or Spruce tree is perfect for this. And of course the Hedera (ivy) can also be used. If you make a large piece, choose a somewhat coarser green, if you go for a smaller one we advise you to use green with a finer structure. Choose a number of different shades as you walk through your garden. And be sure to look at other plants, trees, shrubs and flowers, not just your hedge plants.
Choose a few additional colors
Now you already have 1 colour in different shades: green. A Christmas arrangement that only consists of green would be a bit boring. It’s a good idea to complement this with other colours, such as red and brown. Red: berries (think of the Holly tree), apples or red flowers. Brown: pine cones, bark and fungi.
Where do you put your Christmas arrangement?
Making a wreath for on or next to the front door or in your garden is a nice idea. If you want to put the arrangement on a table or in a cupboard, make it in a tray, pot or bowl. You probably have one somewhere. Don’t like standard? Then look for loose pieces of trunk or branches in your garden or in the woods. This is a lot more natural and creative. And unique. There are no two alike.
If you make your Christmas arrangement for inside, keep in mind that whatever you use, it must be waterproof. Especially if you place it inside on your table or closet. Otherwise it will make a mess and you will never get rid of the stains. That would be a shame.
Oases come in all shapes and sizes
You put the greenery, berries and apples in oasis (also called floral foam). You can buy oasis foam in many places, especially as the holidays approach. They come in all shapes: blocks, balls, wreaths and even in different sizes. Usually the oases are not exactly the right size, so you have to trim them. This is very easy. Before using the oasis, submerge it in water. The greenery will have plenty of moisture to draw on for the time to come. And it will be easier and more pleasant for you if you finish the piece with wet oasis.
Good to know
Use a sharp knife to cut the underside of the branches at an angle. This makes it much easier to put them in the oasis and they will stay in place better. Do some parts of your Christmas arrangement need support? Just use sticks!
The finishing touch
We are almost there. The Christmas arrangement is almost ready. It depends on what you like, how big it is and if there is any space left, but you can add some moss, Christmas decorations or baubles for the finishing touch. Of course, a Christmas arrangement can also be beautiful and complete without these additions.
Get started and have fun
You can’t wait to get started. We totally get it. So get those pruning shears out of the garage or shed, find a playlist of great Christmas songs on Spotify and get to work.
Have fun and have a great Christmas!