Surrey Homes | SH62 | December 2019 | Guide to Christmas supplement inside

Garden
“Beautiful, bountiful and
un-buyable ingredients
abound in the garden and
the hedgerows”
evergreens and bulbs will go on giving long after the
Christmas tree has been assigned to the shredder/bonfire/
recycling van. If you are planning for next year, then forced
bulbs such as Hyacinths and Paperwhite narcissi can be
planted and triggered into flowering in time for the festive
season. Poinsettias are also primed to show off their red
bracts in December, but they are tender plants and don’t
like cold draughts – even the journey from the shop to
their destination can upset them. They can be kept after
Christmas as house plants, but to get the red bracts to
appear again the following year is a complicated process
involving the manipulation of light levels. Cyclamen
are a better bet, but there are several different varieties
available at Christmas and not all of these are hardy.
Gather some decorations
While you are out on the gin foraging session, pick a few
cones, seed heads and twigs to make decorations with. It is
great fun making place settings, napkin rings, wreaths and
table decorations from things you find growing outside. Many
dried seed pods can be gathered and dried well in advance
and then added to foliage nearer the time. Smaller cones, like
pine, alder, beech and acorns can be added as embellishments,
but the seed heads of plants like Artichokes, Alliums and
Agapanthus are of a good size and look glamorous in their
own right. Spray them with metallic paint for extra sparkle,
or leave them looking as nature intended for a natural (and
more ecologically friendly) look. Use the twining stems
of ivy and other climbers as bases for swags and wreaths
and tie around picture frames, doorways and banisters.
Once you start thinking about simple, home made
alternatives to a shop bought Christmas and unleash your
creativity, the preparations – providing you have the time
– become as enjoyable as the day itself. May your days be
merry and bright and may your carbon footprint be light.
Jo’s 2020 gardening courses are now booking.
Call 01233 861149 or see hornbrookmanor.co.uk
for details.
Top right: Rosemary place setting
Right: Birch place setting
Above left: Spruce up your candles
Left: Section of a berry and cone wreath
121 surrey-homes.co.uk