1. Stachys lanata (Lambs Ear): Like velvet when touched, the white furry leaf texture provides a soft dreamy effect when planted in large groups.

2. Euphorbia mysinites (Donkey Tail Spurge): It’s radiating leaf pattern looks dangerous to the touch while remaining soft on the eyes. Perfect for those sun-baked and dry areas of your garden as this stunner is fiercely drought-tolerant.

3. Glauca festuca (Blue Fescue): A perfect pom-pom of seafoam delight that lasts all 4-seasons.  Plant in groups or rows to add punctuation to your graden border.

To learn more about making holiday wreaths, watch this video!

Another wreath idea, is to use a grapevine base (available at any craft store such as Michael’s).  Grapevine is the perfect base for any wreath as it can be re-used to create  a Fall or Spring wreath given the neutrality of the material and unlike evergreen wreaths, this is the only natural material that won’t fall apart so you can re-use the same wreath year after year.  The wreath shown here was made in under 15 minutes using the following materials:

- 3′ diameter grapevine wreath
- Christmas Ball garland (red colour to match our Christmas tree)
- Winterberry (red berries) garland
- Red Pine cone ornaments & 3 birds borrowed from the Christmas tree decorations

Red ornaments and winter-berry garland plus red pine cones

No hot glue gun needed! (which is great because I always burn myself!) Simply wrap the ball ornament and winterberry garland around the wreath and affix with fishing line, floral wire or strong sewing thread.  Then add some theme ornaments borrowed from your Christmas tree (in my case, red birds and pine cones) and your done! A unique custom wreath that directly ties into your existing Holiday decor theme!  Once the Holiday season is over, simply remove the Christmas elements and you can redecorate the grapevine wreath once Spring/Easter rolls around.

Red birds borrowed from Christmas Tree

Before the constant barrage of holiday music and commercials gets you saying “Bah, humbug!”,  harness your festive spirit and creativity by decorating your own Holiday Wreath.  In this 3 part Holiday Wreath video series, I give you the low-down on

1. Different Wreath Materials… you mean there isn’t just one type of evergreen?
2. Creating a table Center-piece  (in case you mess up the turkey, you will have something else to focus your guests attention on!)
3.  Adding glamour to your front door (your neighbour’s will be green with envy… not really festive spirit but com’on, we don’t decorate just for the in-laws)

First, let’s explore the different types of base materials that can be used to create your wreath.

Click here to download PDF.

Features:

• Defined outdoor rooms: a) dining area b) shaded lounge area c) sun patio area d) lawn sports area e) veggie garden
• Low-maintenance perennials
• Focus on continuous flowering blooms throughout Spring, Summer and Fall
• Large dining deck with transparent glass panels to maximize views of garden.

Features include:

• Contemporary concrete gas fire-bowl as the centerpiece to lounge patio.
• Columnar beeches to add vertical height and necessary screening for adjacent town-home development
• 9′ tall cedar trellis for future growth of dramatic fuchsia honeysuckle vine.
• Large storage area beneath deck
• Glass railings to maximize borrowed view of neighbouring park.
• Low-maintenance perennials

Photo source: 1. fingergardening.com 2. natureofcitiessnreumich.com 3. canningperennials.com 4. verkadedesign 5. flicrhivemind.com 6. northcreeknurseries.com

Although we have been showered with rain not too long ago, it may not be enough to feed fussy plants. To make gardening easier, here are a few options that can take the heat:

Maiden Grass (Gracillimus): With its slim and elegant form, Maiden Grass is perfect for adding mounds of interest to any outdoor space. While fresh green is its iconic colour, bronze shades put on a show when autumn arrives. To make sure this fine grass gives its best performance, plant it in well-drained soil and full sun –a perfect summer partner. It looks great in small groupings, as hedges and privacy screens or among other seasonal plants.

Karl Foerster Grass: Like the Maiden Grass, Karl Foerster is defined by fine tufts of slim wheat-coloured leaves that can grow up to several feet tall. Bolting upright, they make for great ornamental components as screen and hedges, and surprise accents among seasonal flowers. And when summer has passed, bring this beauty indoors and use it in flower arrangements.

Goldsturm: Much like its name suggests, this North American native boasts shades of gold. Daises with a dark brown centre bloom in bushes from summer to the fall, and love to loaf in the sun.

Echinacea: Though it’s often known for remedial properties, especially when you’re trying to fight a nasty cold, Echinacea should also be praised for its beauty. Pink petals radiate around a deep-burgundy centre, and do well in any kind of soil. They also adapt to any kind of weather but are especially fond of the heat and sun.

Blue Globe Thistle:  Pink isn’t always the prettiest colour in the garden. Blue Globe Thistles are absolutely stunning!  Spheres in this shade spring atop lengthy green stems, and make for great accents but also make a statement on their own as they grow in generous groupings.

Blue Sea Holly: We’ve got the blues! Another indigo hued flower, the Sea Holly makes a statement in gardens –any kind of garden. Adaptable to dry conditions, it will thrive even in sandy soils or gravel and is more than happy in the scorching summer sun.

So make your garden look cool when it’s sizzling outside with plants that can beat the heat!