Decorate a Maine Winter Garden with Garlands and Wreaths

When winter arrives in Maine it typically buries the summer garden under mounds of snow, leaving only garden structures, garden art and trees and shrubs exposed. That doesn't mean the garden should be ignored until spring. Decorating the garden with holiday lights and evergreens brings the garden to life and spreads a bit of holiday cheer.

Wreaths

Make or buy several evergreen wreaths. Add a big red bow and attach wreaths to fences, arbors and trees to welcome the holidays with Christmas cheer. If wreaths are a bit beyond what you are willing to do, gather an assortment of evergreens 12 to 18 inches long. Include fir, pine and any other evergreens you prefer. Bundle them together and wire the stems tightly. Gather several pinecones, add a few red berries and attach to the evergreen spray. Add a big red bow with long streamers and display as you would the wreath.

Garlands

Make garland from fresh evergreens by wiring them to garden rope. Begin with a small bundle of 8-inch stems. Place the stems so the evergreens are pointing to the left and the cut ends face the right. Add another bundle by placing new evergreens to cover the stems of the first bundle and wiring in place. Work your way to the right until the rope covered with fresh evergreens. Secure the end and tie off the wire. Drape the evergreen garland over fences or weave into a garden arbor. Add bright red berries and cheery bows.

Birdfeeders

Add a birdfeeder to your garden to attract colorful birds. Blue jays, purple finches and chickadees are sure to arrive within a day or two. Hang suet balls or suet feeders tied up with holiday bows to attract woodpeckers and nuthatches to the garden.

Holiday Lights

String white holiday lights in trees or shrubs in your garden. These miniature lights add sparkle during cold winter evenings and create a magical atmosphere. Lights can also be strung on trellises, along fences or around garden art to enhance the appearance of your winter garden.

Christmas Tree

If you are lucky enough to have an evergreen tree near the garden, decorate it with bright lights, red ribbons and pine cones. Add a string of popcorn and some cranberries to feed winter birds. Tiny balls of suet tied up in mesh provide a tasty treat.

When you live in northern Maine, the winter garden lies dormant for six or more months a year. Bringing it to life with bird feeders and holiday décor is one way to extend the joy of gardening all year.