New growth outside and real greenery inside
revive my spirits each Spring.
Boxwood is one of the plants I love using
more than one way to provide that greenery for Spring renewal.
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| Preserved boxwood from HomeGoods |
Boxwood ~
fresh, dried, preserved
Boxwood is not a new plant for homeowners and gardeners.
Fresh boxwood with its delightful fragrance and easy-to-train nature
have made it a very popular plant worldwide.
Here in the United States, boxwood gardens appear at historic grand gardens,
and in France, sculpted boxwood also appears in renowned public gardens.
A French connection always piques my interest.
See links at the end of the post to visit boxwood sites in both
the old and new worlds.
I've recently developed an interest in trying to grow boxwood shrubs
outside both for how they look outside and for cutting sprigs to bring inside.
Sculpted boxwood in an urn gives the front entry a touch of the French look I love.
The first day of Spring gets so much attention,
that I realized recently that I forgot that Spring lasts until mid-June.
Spring does not come for just one day and then leave the next.
The boxwood shaped tree hasn't forgotten however.
At the beginning of Spring,
the boxwood tree was moved from the protected covered area
to along the sidewalk where it could get sun and rainwater.
The tree-shaped boxwood has new growth everywhere
and continues to thrive in the ongoing Spring sunshine and temperatures.
The winter was harsh with snow, ice, and frigid temperatures even into March
making me fear that the new little potted boxwood tree would not survive.
There are a few dead sprigs, but all the new growth will
fill in the dead spots quickly.
A real bird's nest made by some sweet little bird in the Bonjour bucket
welcomes you inside to see more boxwood greenery.
Inside, the front entry has a new nursery potted boxwood
with its light fragrance and lots of new growth in a plant stand.
For less money than the cost of a Trader Joe's wreath,
a small boxwood shrub is a Springtime fresh look that can be used inside,
and then relocated to outside long before Spring disappears in mid-June.
There are also formerly fresh, but now drying, boxwood wreaths
on a back door and on the little chippy green wooden folding chair.
The wreaths were fresh from Trader Joe's at Christmas time.
One was on the front door and the other at the top of the kitchen plant stand.
I'm saving them to reuse next year as painted wreaths.
I've never tried this before, and the wreaths may not last until Christmas,
but I'm enjoying them as air-dried boxwood for now.
Those $10 wreaths from Trader Joe's are a real bargain
that I'm stretching through Spring, or longer.
Preserved boxwood wreaths are so beautiful that I use them
year round, not just at Christmas.
This one hangs in the kitchen sunspace, but only for a short time.
Sunshine and late Spring warming temperatures will cause it
to fade and to dry out.
Soon I will move it back into my bedroom to hang
out of the direct sunshine and on the door of a French armoire.
Boxwood in all its natural states,
fresh, dried, and preserved,
brings new spirit and green throughout my house.
Wishing a sunny bright Spring for everyone
where ever you are planted...
❦
See the following links for boxwood information
and visits to beautiful gardens.
❦
And Spring cleaning continues at my house...
Wait 'til you see my mudroom makeover!
A catch-all mudroom is becoming an organized
fun place to store tools, flower vases, over-sized pots,
and vintage bits and pieces.
❦
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Please join me at these inspiring sites...
MONDAY
TUESDAY
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