“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” in downtown Dunnville. Some eager volunteers with the Dunnville Horticultural Society (DHS) shared their creativity to fill our town pots with nature’s beauty. The fountain area and flowerpots are brimming full with evergreens, birch, sumac, wild thistle, curly willow and dogwood …..not to mention some cheery red ribbon added by the BIA.

If you are inspired by these beautiful pots, why not consider making your own “porch pot” arrangement this season. What a great way to welcome neighbours, family, and friends to your home during the holidays. Recycle one of your pots from the summer or fall. Fill it with soil and add some greens. This is a perfect time to trim your boxwood bush, spruce tree, curly willow or dogwood. If you don’t have birch branches, white spray paint does wonders on a twig or branch.

When you create a porch pot, remember these basic principles:
“Thrill, Fill, Spill”
1. Gather supplies: clippers, gloves, pots, soil, plant material, “bling” if desired. Observe where the pot will be seen. Fill pot with soil and remember to water your arrangement until the soil freezes.
2. Choose and insert your thriller (birch, dogwood) into the centre.
3. Add filler and spiller (evergreen).
4. Add “bling” (ornaments, ribbon) if desired. The dollar store has great bling!
Be sure to pay attention to: colour, texture, height, balance/symmetry, and fullness. Group items together rather than spreading them out for greater impact. Always use odd numbers; they look more natural. Let your arrangement “flow” and “move” rather than looking stiff & rigid. Don’t have too much happening. Less is MORE! Know when to stop creating. Our eyes need a “place to land.” Step back and look at it from a distance. Most of all, enjoy the creative process.

Throughout the year, enjoy nature’s beauty with friendly folk from the Dunnville Horticultural Society (DHS). Our monthly programs are free and open to everyone, members and non-members alike. Join us at the Optimist Hall, 101 Main St. W., Dunnville from 7-9pm on January, 19, 2017 for “Gardening Questions, Answers and Tips“ with our very own Panel of DHS ”Master Gardeners” and host, Deb Zynomirski. This evening is always a favourite program night as we discover how much knowledge we have in our very own group. Come with your questions, gardening challenges, and horticultural dilemmas.

Call Debbie Thomas, President at (905) 774-3064 or Deb Zynomirski, Vice President at (905) 774-8453 for more information or visit http://dunnvillehortsoc.gardenontario.org.

Sandi Marr is Secretary for the Dunnville Horticultural Society and can be reached at sandi.h@sympatico.ca

Photo courtesy of Shannon Veldman: “Porch pot created by Sandi Marr for a welcoming front entrance.”