Text by Cindy Cooper
An entry decked with evergreen wreaths and winter blooms greets guests with festive charm. A traditional balsam wreath can weather the cold outdoor temps quite well, especially when it adorns a covered porch entrance. A fresh-cut display also carries the Christmas holiday scents, like those captured by many fragrant candles available during the season.
While the weather outside dips in temperature in most climates, an enclosed porch or sunroom is the perfect setting for arrangements of poinsettias or other wreaths of boxwood and mixed greenery. They add lovely decoration for the holidays and offer a welcome gift for visiting friends, neighbors, or delivery personnel. From white to hot pink and vivid red, a multitude of colors are usually available for poinsettias and other winter-hardy flowers in many planting zones.
Combining colors—whether variegated or solid—adds a vibrant depth to multiple settings, and choosing planters with interesting shapes and surfaces provides texture and that special touch, adding distinctive visuals for the eye in groupings of several containers.
Fresh wreaths can be made using a wire frame covered with sheet moss. Select cold-tolerant pansies and winter greens such as ornamental cabbage to bring a splash of color and interest. To keep the wreath fresh throughout the season, lay it down flat to water and allow moisture to soak into the plants.
Add an extra dose of holiday charm to your home’s entryway this season with scarves, blankets, or snow boots. This additional layer helps create a welcoming accent on a bench or chair outdoors. Use them for display only or to suggest a spot for resting items outside the home. Just like a bow, a scarf or ribbon will say, “Welcome home” to all who enter!
