How to give your deck/patio a winter makeover with greenery and lights

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With a touch of winter in the air, many of us are already looking at adding some seasonal decor on our decks and patios. The beauty of summer colour can be reimagined in many unique and creative ways to make our winter outdoor living spaces welcoming and nice to enjoy as we look out our windows.

Winter makeovers are catching on all across our country, and it makes such a positive change to our homes and neighbourhoods. It can be done in many ways, but for the most effective results, you need to combine many elements. Of course, size matters, but only on a sense of scale. Smaller patios can be just as spectacular as large spaces — it’s just a matter of sizing. It’s nice to combine planters, railings, patio tubs, steps and hanging baskets by accessorizing them to create a look.

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In a world that’s gone plastic and inflatable crazy, a more nature-oriented outdoor winter display is so refreshing. By using assorted greens in planters, hanging baskets, garlands and wreaths, you can create a look and feel that many of us need in today’s much troubled world. The natural fragrance of various pine and fir branches is amazing and just to touch them — even in a small way — puts us in contact with nature. This connection is more important than we may realize.

The types of greens I’m referring to are the pruned tips from larger trees found in forested areas, ones that are usually harvested with a permit. It’s a renewable and sustainable practice because the branches grow back, and the green cuttings are compostable. The most commonly selected varieties include western red cedar, white and lodgepole pines, true firs (like noble and silver), the wide, blue needled native wild juniper, as well as incense cedars, boxwood and salal. In milder areas, the beautiful big leaves of evergreen magnolias are also much in demand. With this number of available greens, there are so many ways to combine them for spectacular displays.

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Porch pots are the most popular type of patio display. Often winter porch pots are simply created using leftover summer containers, like the ones now sitting on your deck filled with sobbing wet soil. Even though they are no longer filled with sunny summer annuals, they are ideal — including the wet soil — for dressing up with an array of various attractive greens. Everyone has their own ideas on how they should look, but the adage of thriller, filler and spiller still applies. For a focal point you might want to use some contorted branches, such as willows; they will add some height and interest. The vibrant red berries of deciduous holly and Ilex verticillata will contrast nicely with the greens and will really make your pots pop. Natural cones too, like those from pines, firs and Norway spruce, are also very nice. My favourite cones are the long, naturally frosted ones found on white pines. In just a few minutes and with little effort, you can create a unique natural showpiece.

Hanging baskets, filled with greens, are the least popular winter decorating options, and yet they can be spectacular. Simply take a used 30- or 35-centimetre plastic hanging basket with its soil, or better yet, a used moss hanging basket with its moss and soil intact. Then circle the basket, around and around, with  15-cm branches of western red cedar, placing them so that the branches hang down and create a nice trailing look. If you add in some soft blue branches from white pines and a few other colourful greens to fill it out, you’ll be surprised how attractive it looks. A few smaller branches of deciduous holly berries or interesting twigs, like red huckleberry branches, will add some contrasting colour. For a finishing touch, let some natural cones hang from the basket by attaching them with florist wire.

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Fresh wreathes are becoming very popular because of their natural beauty and fragrance. They, too, can be easily made with a few fresh specialty greens. The rich, blue-toned Noble fir is the No. 1 choice for wreathes because of its magnificent branch tips that can tolerate dryness.

The simplest way to make a wreath is to pick up a 30- or 35-cm wire wreath form. They can be purchased in craft stores or at a florist shop. Line the inside of the form with wet moss or oasis foam and wrap it with either florist tape or Saran Wrap. It’s easy then to insert the branch tips into the wet moss or foam; they will be held in place and won’t dry out as quickly. Keep the branch tips short and all facing the same direction to capture that uniform look. The addition of huckleberry tips or incense cedar tips will add a sophisticated touch. Attaching a bow with long tails, made from waterproof ribbon, will make all the difference.

Swags easier to make by simply gathering a group of evergreen branches and securing the tops with florist wire. The addition of cones, twigs and a few berries will give you a beautiful swag. Use some of the florist wire to hang them.

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Garlands, too, are nice for that finishing touch, especially along railings and over doorways. It’s far easier to purchase them pre-made in the length you want. If, however, you wish to make your own, get a 3- to 6-metre piece of wire and secure an assortment of branches to it by using florist wire. It is better for the greens if they are exposed to the rain, but if not, they need to be misted with water at least daily to keep them hydrated. Set up outdoors now, especially with our rainy weather, they will last well into the New Year.

Adding cool-looking, clear mini-LED lights will make your displays even more spectacular as we go into our long, dark winter evenings. Give some of these ideas a try.  Your deck or patio will look spectacular and will have a nice fragrance with all these traditional greens.

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