Backyard Bounty

Create an Easy Holiday Centerpiece

MEET THE DESIGNER This holiday idea is straight from the creative mind of Jennifer Robbins of J. Robbins Florist, 759 St. Helens Ave., in downtown Tacoma. Details: jrobbinsflorist.com

Looking for ways to add to your usual holiday décor? Tacoma’s Jennifer Robbins, owner of J. Robbins Florist, urges readers to use home garden plants and flowers to create warm and festive holiday designs. Contrast a few blossoms with cypress, magnolia, or pine leaves to create an easy and inexpensive centerpiece. “Get creative and get outside! Holiday centerpieces can be made from all sorts of backyard leaves and flowers. You would be surprised what your own garden can create,” Robbins said.

GET STARTED
1. Start with heavy foliage first, use the biggest leaves to start with structure and add in smaller leaves and branches to fill in spaces.

2. After leaves and branches, add in large focal flowers. In this case, roses and hydrangeas have been used. Group the flowers together in sets of twos and threes for the boldest effect.

3. Last, add accents. Berries and vines, as well as materials such as ornaments, can add extra decoration and flair to tie your creation in with the holiday season — or complement your home décor.

MAKE IT LAST
Increase the lifespan of your mixture with these helpful tips! Add flower food to the fresh mixture, this is important for optimum mixture survival and nutrition. Also, pay attention to the water: it is important to change the water every few days.

GET THE LOOK
Robbins used Leonidas rose, white hydrangea, magnolia foliage, bay laurel leaves, hypericam berry and salal leaves in her creation.

QUICK TIP
For extra add-ins, glue ornaments or other materials to the top of sticks (you can even use twigs in your garden). Hide the sticks within the centerpiece.

 

---

For the full story pick up the latest copy of South Sound magazine. Subscriptions are available by phone at 253.588.5340 or you may order your subscription online.