Out
On A Limb / December 2005
Copying the Colonials
Linda Watkins,
Master Gardener
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By Linda Watkins
Holiday decorators weary of the glitz of holiday decorations available today, have an alternative, possibly in their own gardens. They might wish to consider how earlier residents of this country decorated for the season.
Granted, residents of the 18th century didn’t have the multitude of synthetic decorations that are offered–sometimes overwhelmingly–in the shops of today. For their holiday celebrations, they gathered pine, holly, boxwood, and ivy from gardens and surrounding forest. Long cherished for their symbolism of eternal life, the greens had the added benefit of survival in houses and churches throughout the season.
Colonial residents made garlands and to drape over portraits, mantels, windowsills, and sideboards. Kissing balls made of greens and the required mistletoe hung in convenient doorways where lovers could kiss openly and not be reprimanded.
When that kind of decking of the halls is used today, it is generally thought of as being done in the Williamsburg style. Colonial Williamsburg, representing the period of the mid-1750’s, has made a very profitable business of attracting tourists to its holiday celebrations.
Doors with wreaths and garlands of pine, fruit, and berries provide a welcome respite to the commercialism of the surrounding malls. However, the colonists worked hard to preserve as many of their apples and hothouse pineapples as they could to sustain them through the long winter, and it is highly unlikely that such precious foodstuff would have been placed outside to rot or to be eaten by squirrels. Pyramids of fruit on the tables inside the house, though, were used and made elegant centerpieces.
Today’s decorator who wants to imitate decorations of a past era has many more options in her choice of materials. Craft shops, home improvement stores, and discount houses have every imaginable item. Obviously, these embellishments are artificial but of such quality that the even the most eagle-eyed naturalist has to look very closely to determine that they are not real.
The added attraction of using the artificial materials indoors is that they will survive in the ever-increasing amount of days that seem to be needed to celebrate the season. Indeed, such is the longevity that industry has built into these products that they will likely be unearthed by archeologists well into the 22nd century–in perfect condition.
Unfortunately, the artificial embellishments will not provide the spicy aroma of new-cut greens that makes everyone anxious to don winter coats and snuggly mittens and rush outdoors to build snowmen. But the commercial establishment has an answer to that in the wonderfully fragrant pine-scented candles and containers of potpourri. Additionally, real pinecones can be tucked into arrangements, and live pineapples and fruit can be used for a short time on tables to encourage a natural look and perhaps lend an actual slight aroma.
Purists who simply must have the real thing can let themselves go on the exterior of the house. Live swags of pine surrounding the door will easily last the whole season, although the long-needled pine will survive better than hemlock. Wire pine cones, holly or pyracantha berries, and even small apples to the garland for a look that will last a long time outdoors.
The door itself, however, is the place where the most creativity can be shown. Swags are easy to make by wiring a few branches of pine together for a base and adding additional plant material to create a cascading effect.
Live wreaths can be purchased, particularly if the arranger finds working with live evergreens painful. If the wreath or swag features only one kind of evergreen, make it more interesting by tucking in cuttings from shrubbery such as holly, boxwood, yew, euonymus, and arborvitae. The object is to provide as much variety in color and texture as possible.
Dried plant material adds even more color to the wreath and contributes to the natural look. Dried artemesia provides a silvery, lacey effect. Pods from the fields, dried flowers and peppers, even cotton bolls have been used in Williamsburg to provide more interest.
Creators of their own decorations will discover that it is definitely rewarding to find what they need in their own gardens. They will see that the softer side of the season is possible.
Linda Watkins is a member of the Wood County Master Gardeners, a member of North Hills Garden Club, Flower and Garden Chairman for Friends of Blennerhassett and President of the Garden Council of Wood County.
Copyright © 2005-2006 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
Femme Fair 2006
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