Photo: Symonenko Viktoriia (Shutterstock)
One of the perks of having a garden or living with access to wildflowers, plants, and trees is the ability to spend time outdoors surrounded by all kinds of greenery.
But why should you limit your enjoyment to the amount of time you are outside? Try botanical decor. In an article for BobVila.com, Craft and gardening expert Debbie Wolfe shares some indoor decorating options with plants, flowers and herbs from your outdoor garden. Here are a few.
Fresh garlands
There are many ways to use garlands – as table runners, on coats woven into the spindles of a staircase – and if you have your own greens (and the time) it’s pretty easy to make your own, according to Wolfe, who it is also the author of Do-it-yourself garden projects and handicrafts and Crafting with herbs.
Here are Wolfes instructions for a DIY fresh garland:
Bundle green plants such as herbs and leaves from trees and shrubs first and secure each bundle with a green rubber band or floral wire. Use dried flower heads or fresh flowers for the color and bundle them up as well.
Cut some jute or cotton cord and place it on a table. Make it longer than you think you’ll need – it’s easier to trim off any excess length. Leave a 6 inch piece of twine on each end. Add a bunch of greens starting at one end. Secure it to the string with floral wire.
Next, add the bunch of flowers followed by a bunch of greenery. Alternate the bundles as you walk to the end of the string. Spray the garland with water daily to keep it looking fresh.
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Dry herbs
Not sure what to do with all the herbs that grow in your garden (especially in autumn)? Wolfe suggests Put them together in bundles – keep in mind that they will shrink to half their size as they dry – with an elastic band and / or string and hang them with the string side up. The decor also doubles as a useful way to dry out your seasonal herbs.
Natural wreaths
Like the garland, DIY wreaths made with materials from your garden are a great way to bring the outdoors inside. Wolfe provides detailed instructions on how to make your own natural wreath in her article.
