It's very easy to put your flower pots to winter use. Glazed pots that don't crack in the winter are best, but you can also use fiber, plastic or Styrofoam pots. If they're already filled with soil, just go with that. If not, fill them with soil or sand. Keep the soil or sand moist throughout the winter.
Cut branches of pine, spruce, juniper and Oregon grape holly from your garden. Don't disfigure the plants; cut from the back or bottom. If you buy cut greens, re-cut the ends so they can absorb moisture. Spray the greens with a product such Wilt-Pruf that helps prevent them from drying out.
Also consider using interesting bare branches from landscape shrubs such as red twig dogwood, willow or many other trees and shrubs. In addition, use pine cones and the seed heads and pods from ornamental grasses, coneflower, black-eyed Susan, sedum and other perennials. These will provide interesting contrasts to the evergreens.
The key to creating a successful porch pot is to stuff it. Keep poking in more branches until you're satisfied.
If you prefer a natural look, stop there. If you want a bit of color, add sprays of artificial berries and such. It's your creation, so add bows, ornaments, elves, angels or whatever you like.
Plants in this segment are courtesy of Tagawa Gardens.
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