Boughs of cedar, red and white pine created a feeling of Christmas at the November meeting of the Tweed and District Horticultural Society. Guest speaker, Valerie Sills of Rawdonrim Acres demonstrated Christmas arrangements using natural materials that most members can find locally.
Valerie worked at a floral shop in Stirling and later in Belleville. Although she is now retired, she is an active member of the Stirling Horticultural Society and also involved with the Hastings Plowing Match.
Valerie suggested recycling soil from summer planters to your Christmas planters. Due to the warmer than normal fall, she suggested watering the soil until the temperature gets colder.
Start with your tallest piece of greenery and place it in the middle of the planter. Establish the width you want the planter to be and add the appropriate greenery to achieve that width. Fill in the spaces within the perimeter with greenery so there are no gaps. She tries to use the natural flow of the branches.
She suggested using the light side of the cedar boughs to add a diffent shade of green to the planter. Trim the stems at the base as this makes it easier if you need to reposition a branch-you will not disturb the other branches in the pot. Keep checking to ensure that there are no “see through areas” in the arrangement.
Valerie added red willow and ilet berries for a pop of colour……. she like to keep her planters as natural as possible. She did add a bow as people seem to like bows in their arrangements. She suggested using double sided wired ribbon for the bow. She unwinds the ribbon to the length she needs and starts making a series of loops trying to keep them the same size. When you have the size of bow you want, use wire to tie the loops together. Attach the finished bow to a small branch with wire and insert into the soil. She did admit the bows do take a bit of practice!!!!
With the left-over greenery, Valerie made a swag. White pine was used as the base and cedar was added…again using the lighter shade of cedar. She continued to layer with the white pine and cedar until she achieved the size of swag she wanted. She tied the branches together with wire and added a bow.
GREAT TIP…. use the cheapest margarine to clean pine gum off your hands!!!
Two lucky members won the planter and swag!! And for the members who did not win, they have many valuable tips they can use when creating their planters and swags!
The AGM was held at the meeting. The Financial Report for 2025 was presented and approved. The slate of officers for 2026 was presented.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
December 2…. Christmas Potluck Dinner at 6 pm. Bring you favourite main course dish and dessert and appropriate serving utensils if needed. Please bring your own plates, utensils and glasses/mugs. Linda’s annual power point presentation will highlight the gardens and the club’s activities throughout 2025. Bring your quarters to play the game “Quarter Frenzy” …always fun!