Replacing the Home Garden During Fall and Winter

Although fall and winter can begin to get a bit dreary, replacing the home garden is easy and helps lift the spirits. Flowers, grasses and tress may not be in full bloom but there are plenty of other plants that folks can choose from when bringing a bit of nature closer to home.

Suitable replacements include:

• Wreaths. Nothing invites the holidays into the front doors like a festive wreath. These beauties don't have to be the traditional round shapes either; they can be swags, ovals or hearts. Incorporate colorful garden accents like pine cones, berries and evergreen cuttings for a natural look.
 
• Window boxes. Decorate your home with Old World flair. Using carefully designed window boxes can give homes a tailored look that invites the outside in with style. Use pansies, ornamental cabbage, small junipers, holly and hellebores, as these can withstand the cold temperatures while still looking attractive.
 
• Garland. Forget stringing artificial garland throughout your home; Hampton Roads has plenty of natural materials that can be used to make beautiful garland. Use branches of fir, cedar, pine and holly for a look that lasts through the holiday season.
 
• Arrangements. Take a walk around your yard and see what's blooming. Camellias make lovely arrangements. If no flowers are available, try evergreen cuttings. Arranged nicely, these can bring in seasonal aromas and a nice touch of green. Or go for the stark look of twigs accented with red berries in a glass vase.
 
• House plants. Potted plants are a tried and true way to bring the garden inside during winter and throughout the entire year. House plants improve the quality of the air and can enrich the overall look of a home, as they add a bit of life.

Don't mourn for those long-gone summer posies. Just use what you have to make a winter garden substitution at home this time of year.