National Gardens Scheme volunteer, Penny Snell, explains how to create a show-stopping display which is perfect for a fireplace, shelf or bookcase
To make Penny’s Christmas display, you will need:
✔ Acontainer – a bowl or short vase
✔ Plant sticks
✔ Plastic bags
✔ Chicken wire
✔ Blue pine – long and short cuts
✔ Selection of potted winter plants such as gaultheria, ivy, and poinsettia
✔ Decorative cut flowers such as amaryllis, rosehips, and twigs with lichen
STEP 1: Scrunch up the chicken wire and place inside the container. Fill the container with water. If you are creating your display on a long surface, like a mantelpiece or shelf, and have two containers create one arrangement at a time and use the potted plants to connect the two.
STEP 2: Create a framework using the long cuts of the blue pine.
STEP 3: Secure two or three Amaryllis in the container around the blue pine Amaryllis have a very hollow stem, and when the flowers open they tend to be quite heavy! Use a plant stick to keep the flower supported in your arrangement.
STEP 4: Add the Poinsettia to your arrangement and fill in the gaps with the ivy and decorate across with rosehips and the lichen twigs. As you set out your display, make sure the plants are s
