December Décor (The Seasonal Series)

Well, if you haven’t got your Christmas wreath up yet then it’s the time to start thinking about it! But it’s not just about wreaths this month, there’s lots of fun ways to get festive whether you’re decorating the house with December’s seasonal classics or planning a winter wedding! So, without further ado, let’s dive into what’s in season this month!

There’s definitely a focus on foliage when it comes to this time of year. Spruce and pine are always popular choices being evergreens and they add different colours and textures to your décor. They last really well and you’ll probably find you’re reluctant to take down your wreath and garlands in January because they’ve lasted so well! They tend to dry out more inside but giving them a mist with water helps keep them fresher for longer.

Another seasonal favourite is holly with a shiny leaf, although be prepared for the prickles! You can get variegated leaves as well as the classic dark green leaf and the stems are often adorned with bright red berries. The berries can sometimes get lost when using in an arrangement because they are generally closer to the bottom of the stem. We can’t talk about holly though without mentioning ivy too! Ivy has a glossy leaf and comes in different sizes and shapes, some with plain green leaves and other with variegated leaves. I particularly love the interesting berries that grow on ivy and these add a lovely touch to any arrangement. It takes over in the garden but it does look lovely in flower arrangements for Christmas! It works better in water or floral foam because it wilts quickly out of water. Eucalyptus on the other hand, works well out of water. Although it doesn’t stay fresh in the way the evergreen foliage does, it does dry out nicely so creates a nice effect.

If you want to add in other decorations to your arrangements, then pine cones look lovely and give a natural, rustic feel. Similar to the pine cones but smaller are larch cones. They often grow in clusters down the stems. These have needles on so you could use the whole stem in an arrangement for a spiky texture. It really is the time for a bit of foraging!

However, we can’t forget our December flowers! There are some lovely bulb-based flowers coming into season. Amaryllis plants are a popular present at Christmas with their red or white trumpet like flowers. The heads resemble lilies in shape but grow in a cluster at the top of a thick, hollow stem.

Other plants to look out for at this time of year are the poinsettia and the Christmas cacti; (it really is in the name!) Poinsettia are rather temperamental to look after but they look beautiful in flower. Like the amaryllis they come in red or white, although you can get an interesting pink variety too. The coloured leaves look like flowers but the flowering part of the plant is actually the small yellow buds in the centre of the bracts. Christmas cacti are a bit easier to look after being part of the succulent family. The flowers sprout from the ends of the leaves which on some varieties are upright and on other varieties hang gracefully, which makes them ideal for a hanging plant.

Hyacinths feel like a spring flower but they do start appearing at this time of year. If you buy them as a plant, they are more likely to be in bud but the joy is in watching them bloom. With some pretty shades of purple, pink and white, these flowers have a strong scent that fills the room. They do have a tendency to flop over as they are a bit top heavy but the best thing to do is cut the stem off when this happens and pop them in a vase. If using in an arrangement, they work better in a short bouquet as the stems aren’t long and they are also too soft to put in floral foam.

Another bulb flower we associate with spring is narcissi (daffodil). You can’t miss these bright pops of yellow, which sometimes have hints of white or orange too. Like most spring flowers they smell amazing. These too, work well in a hand-tied bouquet or vase because the stems are soft and hollow.

I know I have a few favourites, but this really is at the top of the list…the ranunculus! Some people confuse them with roses or peonies and they aren’t so well known but they have the most fantastic layers of petals and come in a wide range of colours. There are even some unusual varieties with ruffly petals.

If you love dried flowers, dried helichrysum is a great option. Unlike other dried flowers that are more muted in colour, these add a real vibrance! They feel papery in texture but look a bit spiky.

For more inspiration and ideas feel free to drop me a message here. Don’t forgot to check out this year’s Christmas collection but if you don’t see what you’re looking for, do get in touch and I can help!