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The perfect Christmas garden made simple

Writer's picture: Tammy JohnsonTammy Johnson
Beautiful garden decorated for Christmas
Ready for Christmas

Written and edited by Tammy 8th December 2024


With less than 3 weeks to go till Christmas the race is on to have our menus planned, presents wrapped and stacked and have our gardens looking amazing ready for the arrival of family and friends!

Creating a festive vibe in your garden doesn't have to be hard or stressful. It can be as simple as planting some annual colour, hanging some lovely lighting for theatrics and creating a comfy corner to gather.

Here’s just a few ideas to get you inspired.




Christmas Garden Must Haves

Annuals

When considering colour, it's often the first aspect that catches the eye. For instant impact and wow factor summertime annuals are a fail-safe choice. Among the favourites are Petunias, Vincas, Impatiens, Chrysanthemums and Marigolds, Snapdragons, Portulacas, and Salvias, just to name a few.

  • Most annuals prefer a full sun to part shade location in a rich, organic, moist but free draining soil for their full flowering potential.

  • Feed them Seasol PowerFeed weekly to fortnightly, along side a handful of quality organic fertiliser such as Neutrog Rapid Raiser.

  • Remember to regularly deadhead them to encourage more blooms and prevent them becoming leggy.

 Try for mass plantings of one or two colours in a couple of varieties, or pops of colour arranged and cascading out of pots and containers. The ideas are endless.

Vibrant red Petunias.
Vibrant red Petunias.
Hanging basket of cascading Petunias.
Hanging basket of cascading Petunias.

Poinsettias


If you prefer something a little more 'traditionally Christmas' originating from Mexico is the Poinsettia Euphorbia pulcherrima.

Poinsettias always put in an appearance at the beginning of the festive season, it just wouldn't be Christmas without seeing them somewhere. Vibrant reds, dusky pinks, greens and whites. Smaller dwarf varieties grow between 25-50cm tall while others planted out in the ground can potentially reach in excess of 3 meters tall. When pruning and dead heading, be mindful not to get the milky white sap on you, it's toxicity can cause rashes and allergic reactions in some people.

Growing requirements

  •  Poinsettias need a bright light but protection from the hot afternoon sun.

  • Rich, organic, free draining soil, or quality premium potting mix for pots or containers.

  • Water regularly to maintain moisture. Too wet will cause root rot, while drying out too much will result in wilt and foliage drop.

  • Give regular applications of soluble fertiliser alongside a controlled slow release.


Poinsettias
Poinsettias


Hydrangeas


Hydrangeas are stunning coming into their own right now. Deciduous, they begin flowering in November and continue right through to February. Their massive blooms in cool shades of snowy whites, dreamy pinks, blues and violets scream out femininity and contrast beautifully against their large, lush leafy green foliage. Perfect as show pieces in pots, or in those dappled shaded spots at the back of the garden bed to entice you in further.


Growing requirements

Hydrangeas.
  •  Hydrangeas thrive in cooler climates.

  • They prefer a rich fertile moist but free draining soil.

  • An ideal plant for a shaded, sheltered spot such as under a tree where they'll receive dappled shade and protection from the hotter afternoon sun.

  • They benefit from regular applications of soluble fertiliser alongside a controlled slow release tailored to acid loving plants.

  • Mulch generously beneath them with composted animal manure and straw to add nutrition, insulation from the heat and aid water retention.







Bromeliads

Unique, and a tad exotic, Bromeliads bring a touch of flair to Christmas time with their vibrant bold colours and unusual shaped flowers. Grow them in pots, a shaded spot in the garden, or give them as a living gift.

Bromeliads are epiphytic, in their natural habitat, co-dependent on other plants for support, they derive their nutrients and water from the air and rain. Think of staghorns, elkhorns, mosses and orchids.


Growing requirements

  • Suitable for indoors and outdoors, but keep in mind they are frost and cold sensitive so if growing outdoors, plant them in a protected spot or be prepared to move or cover them if need be.

  • Water requirements, bromeliads have what is known as a 'vase' or 'vessel', where the foliage whorls around the flower in the centre creating like a tunnel. Keep water in the vessel and keep the soil damp but not wet.

  • If growing in pots use an orchid mix as its course and free draining. If growing outdoors in the garden, give them a dappled shaded spot in a rich organic but free draining soil.

    Stunning Orange Bromeliads
    Stunning Orange Bromeliads



Herbs

Pot up some beautiful fresh seasonal herbs. Sweet basil, mint, parsley, rosemary, thyme, and sage.

You don’t have to plant them in a garden bed, plant them into a lovely pot or large container right near the back door close handy for picking to add to your salads or mojitos.

A collection of fresh herbs by the back door will look homely and appealing, smell divine and be one less thing to add to the supermarket shopping list, a win win win without a doubt!

A variety of fresh herbs growing on display
Fresh seasonal herbs for adding to salads


Comfortable Spaces to Gather

While we all want our garden to be visually stunning and welcoming, it also needs to be user friendly and serviceable. You’re also going to want to have an inviting, comfy corner set up ready for outdoor entertaining.

After all, it’ll be too nice to be sitting indoors or at some point it’ll be nice to adjourn outside.

Fire pit adds warmth and charm to your garden. Place some seating around it and add cozy blankets and cushions for comfort. Gathering around the fire sharing stories with loved ones is where the best lasting memories are created.


Cozy seating around a fire pit outdoors
A cozy corner to gather around the fire



Make magic with lights

Let’s face it, Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without the twinkling of lights.

it’s where that magic feel begins.

A whimsical display of festive lights wrapped around trees
Twinkling lights create a magical atmosphere

Bottle brush adorned with fairy lights.
Bottle brush adorned with fairy lights.

Be as simplistic or as flamboyant as you like. A single flood light shining up into the canopy of a large tree at the back of the garden, a garland of festoon lights around the patio, or thousands of twinkling fairy lights adorning every corner of the garden, there’s no right or wrong.


Don't be afraid to get a little creative, if you have a Callistemon looking stunning right now, weave fairy lights throughout its branches and make it the star of your show.

Whatever it is you decide to do in your garden this season for 'Christmas cheer' just be sure you enjoy doing it, after all that's what Christmas is all about, and that's what gardening is all about too!

Happy gardening! 😘🎄🍒



 


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