Creating your Christmas Urn
Container Gardens for the Christmas season
This article will instruct readers how to create and enjoy their winter container garden.
Christmas is the perfect time to create an outdoor arrangement. These beautiful arrangements can be enjoyed by all your Christmas guests, and by yourself throughout the winter months. The beauty of these urns is that they can be sustained throughout the season with very little care.
Choosing your container:
There is a variety of options available when selecting your winter container. However, the challenge of choosing a container during this season is whether it will be able to withstand extreme temperatures. Here are some basic guidelines to follow:
Cast Iron Urn: This is often the container of choice for winter arrangements. It handles cold weather well and is aesthetically pleasing. The only challenge of this type of urn is that they are quite heavy.
Fibreglass: Fibreglass is a lighter weight container. It is much easier to carry, but will need to be weighted to endure strong winds. In addition when the water expands when frozen some varieties of these pots may crack.
Hanging baskets: a variety of materials can be used for hanging baskets, from cocoa liners to plastic. Again, be wary of plastic and other fragile materials as they may crack in the extreme temperatures.
The virtues of Oasis:
One of the most common errors that individuals make in creating their fresh green arrangement is not focusing on the planting medium. Products such as sand, although able to hold the greenery, will not retain moisture, nor the exact shape of your arrangement.
Soil is one product that can be used, the roots will contain the greenery in the pot. However, one of the best tools to use in your outdoor arrangements is oasis.
Oasis is a florist tool that should be used in all of your outdoor arrangements. This foam like material retains water. It also helps develop a strong structure for your arrangement.
How to use Oasis:
1. Place the oasis in water with the letter side up. Let the oasis soak up the water naturally until it is under water.
2. Place the oasis into a liner, letter side up. The average container requires a liner that is approximately 10-12” wide.
3. Secure oasis in the liner by taping it into place with floral tape.
4. Set liner into the container.
Begin with your focal point:
When composing any arrangement, you should begin by choosing a focal point or a thriller plant. Common thrillers for winter arrangement are whimsical curly willow, dramatic dog wood and colourful water berries.
Your thriller should be at the maximum height that you desire for your container. Place it in the centre of the arrangement directly into the oasis.
Designing with greenery
1. Start adding your greens, pine first (as its rigidity makes it easier to develop the form) then cedar followed by balsam. Remember to remove any extra foliage and trim the ends so that they are smooth and slide into the oasis without causing any damage.
2. The initial pieces should be added to the base of your planter
3. Continue to add in your pieces, add to the top and than follow by filling in the middle.
Add in the finishing touches
This is where you bring in your own design elements to your urn.
Add in water proof berries, pine cones, magnolia leaves, holly berry, eucalyptus, and various textures of greens and stems.
Finish your outdoor container with ribbon and stand back and admire your design.
Maintenance
Check your plant throughout the season to ensure that it is either frozen or well watered.
Once the urns are frozen, the water will be retained within the oasis continually feeding your plant. The only task that will remain is to admire your arrangement.
