Deep in January is the time to look around for ideas about what to grow for Winter botanicals in your yard and in your containers. Look beyond the everyday Winter trees and shrubs for ideas about garden structure when your garden is covered in snow. Then think beyond evergreens and structures to think about adding beautiful blooming flowers that thrive during cold Winter days, even under snow. 

The backbone of every garden includes trees, shrubs, and garden structures. Evergreen trees and shrubs provide color when most of the garden is dormant. Bare, small accent trees around flower beds offer interesting shapes and visually help connect ground level plants with towering trees at the garden's edges. Stone borders around flower gardens and stone bird baths define garden spaces in every season. 

Snowy French Country Garden Shed

A French country style garden shed in the backyard is a delight all year, but even more so for a few hours in winter when covered in a light dusting of snow. Nature waved a magic wand and sprinkled soft white snowy layers that softened the harsh contours of winter. 

The garden shed is beautiful any season with its French country roofline, french doors, and white  limestone exterior. With snow, the shed is transformed into a blue and white winter scene. 

Christmas Angel Print | Winter Decor Transition

Christmas decor can transition to Winter decor by keeping seasonal greenery and neutral colored decor used for Christmas. Fresh evergreens, magnolia leaves, and a moss ball surrounding a Christmas angel print in neutral tones will carry the decorations into January. A few design tips will help you to create a decor grouping to transition your home from Christmas to Winter decor. 

An elevated shelf behind the kitchen sink is a wonderful place to decorate for any season, and fresh greenery in rustic containers keeps the kitchen from looking so bare during the Winter months. 

Christmas Red and Navy Blue Table Setting

Inspiration for a colorful red and navy blue Christmas table setting this year came from beautiful fabric found in the Montmatre fabric district in Paris, France. Used as a tablecloth, the jewel tones of red and navy are the perfect setting for blue Fitz and Floyd china, red Fostoria glasses, and a collection of blue and red angels. 

Traditional red poinsettia flowers with cedar and fir greenery in a navy ceramic flower pot make an equally perfect centerpiece. 

How to Add Christmas to a French Country Plate Stand

How do you add Christmas cheer to an everyday functional French Country plate stand? Easy... add a white poinsettia for instant Christmas cheer! 

 

The easiest Christmas decorating tip in the world is to add plants associated with Christmas in your region.  And, sometimes plants in a region do not even have to be flowers. 

Williamsburg, Virginia is world renowned for its lavish natural Christmas decorations which often are fresh fruits combined with magnolia leaves. Once the outdoor botanical garlands, wreaths, and planters appear, all of Colonial Williamsburg is a magical Christmas wonderland.