It’s that time of year again, when it gets dark just after lunch and if we’re outside at all, it’s most likely for a shopping trip. But before I go all Eeyore and start rambling about seasonal affected disorder, I shall tell you that I think I’ve found a cure – and a good reason to go outside. I’ve been out; tramping about through the fields, gathering bits and bobs from the hedgerows. It’s completely lifted my spirits and given me the inspiration to make some festive decorations. It’s a cheery thing to do and a lovely way to launch into the season, so let’s get out there!

What to pick…

It can take a little while to get your eye in, but once you start looking around the garden and among the wild plants beyond, you’ll get ideas for using all sorts of berries, twigs and evergreen foliage. Some of my favourites include:

Ivy… This has got to be one of the best festive plants. The young stems are great for winding around wreaths and swags, while the mature part of the plant has clusters of pale green flowers and black berries.

Spindle… Orange berries encased in bright pink casing, but they are quite delicate and won’t last as long as some.

Alder… The bark is good and dark and the pliable twigs often have both catkins and cones attached.

Rosehips… Choose firm, small hedgerow hips (from the Dog rose – rosa canina) for a splash of festive red.

Aucuba japonica… (spotted Laurel) the glossy spotted leaves of this evergreen stay looking fresh for a long time.

Physalis… (Chinese Lanterns) Pick these in the autumn and dry them while they’re still bright orange, or leave in the garden and pick later for skeletal effects.

Snowberry… this is such a weed in my garden, but becomes more useful in autumn and winter when the fat white berries appear. They need to be in water or wet oasis to stay plump and snowy.

Eucalyptus… The young foliage of E. gunnii is great in arrangements throughout the year, but if you choose to grow a Eucalyptus in the garden, be careful to keep cutting it hard back, because it will want to grow into a giant tree.

Evergreen herbs… Using herbs like Rosemary and Bay will add both foliage and fragrance to arrangements.

Glossy garden 

  • Aucuba (spotted Laurel)                                                        
  • Physalis (Chinese Lanterns)
  • Pyracantha berries
  • cones/cinnamon sticks 

Woodland

  • Parthenocissus (Virginia creeper) berries   
  • Assorted seed-heads and stems
  • Ivy flowers    
  • Teasel

Wild and bright

  • Physalis                                                         
  • Spindle berries
  • Honesty seed pods
  • Variegated Ivy

Make a table decoration

You will need…

  • a candle
  • a piece of florist’s foam
  • a container (this can be hidden from view by foliage etc, so needn’t be gorgeous)
  • thin, flexible wire to attach berries etc
  • a pair of secateurs
  • plenty of fresh foliage and berries. I used Snowberries, Eucalyptus, variegated Ivy and Rosemary for a cool blue/white scheme. Have fun seeing what you can find…

1. Gather ingredients and soak florist’s foam.

1. Gather ingredients and soak florist’s foam.

2. Push candle into wet foam.

2. Push candle into wet foam.

3. Wrap/wire Ivy foliage or similar around the base.

3. Wrap/wire Ivy foliage or similar around the base.

4. Push berries, Rosemary, Eucalyptus and garden foliage into foam.

4. Push berries, Rosemary, Eucalyptus and garden foliage into foam.

5. Use to decorate a mantlepiece or table, topping up with water to keep fresh.

5. Use to decorate a mantlepiece or table, topping up with water to keep fresh.

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