Few plants generate more revulsion in the garden than junipers. The mere suggestion of planting one often musters a similar reaction to that of saying a dirty word. Maybe we’ve grown weary of their use as evergreen blobs in foundation plantings. Perhaps the thought of meticulously shearing them into the perfect shape sounds daunting (see pruning tips). It could be an early memory of an itchy rash from an up-close encounter with a juniper’s prickly branches. Or it could be boredom with the sea of creeping blue rug junipers (Juniperus horizontalis ‘Wiltonii’, Zones 3–9) planted in every big-box-store parking lot. Although junipers are a midcentury-modern garden staple, generations of gardeners have since decided they have had enough of these controversial conifers. While it’s easy to dismiss them for their deeply ingrained negative traits, junipers have many merits that make them worth reconsideration.
The Easiest Ornament Hack We Spotted for the Holiday Season
17.11.2023 - 18:07 / thespruce.com / Sophia Beams
We're big fans of upgrading your current Christmas decor on a budget and want to encourage you to do the same. With the new decorating trend that uses velvet ribbon bows as an elegant (and easy) Christmas tree decoration, the latest viral ornament upgrade is a no-brainer to try.
Using ribbon helps to create a cohesive color and texture palette without needing to purchase several new sets of ornaments. If you’re fond of tree ornaments but are still looking for more simple ways to upgrade your tree decorations this holiday season, all you’ll need to do is replace your ornament’s string with ribbon.
Just take it from Instagram user @mrs.vesnatanasic, who demonstrates this trend by adding a medium-thick gold velvet ribbon to each of her dark red ornaments. The look is subtle but luxurious, and helps to (literally) tie her tree together.
To create this look, you'll first need to untie or cut off the string on the top of your ornament. Then, thread your ribbon of choice through the ornament’s top where the string was.
Medium to thick velvet ribbon is by far the most popular choice for this holiday season, but any ribbon texture and color that matches your theme will work perfectly.
Before cutting the ribbon, make sure you have enough length to tie it and still have extra space when hanging it from a tree branch. If the ribbon’s hanging loop is too small, it will crowd the ornament up next to the branch—ornaments should have a little extra space between their top and the branch so that they can float in between branches and show off their color clearly.
To finish off the ornament, just tie the ribbon to close the loop and cut off any excess. You can leave the knot at the top of the ornament since it will be hidden by the
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Pinterest is back with big news this week—they've released their annual Pinterest Predicts report for 2024. The report details all the trendiest search terms that are likely to make a big splash next year so you can be first in line for a mini life makeover.
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How to Decorate for the Holidays Without It Looking Cheesy
Deck the halls with boughs of holly—or don’t. Decorating for the holidays the traditional way, with lights, wreaths, and a tree full of ornaments, isn’t for everyone. If you want to bring the seasonal spirit into your home without dragging boxes of holiday knick-knacks out of storage, you’re in luck. There are plenty of ways to get your home feeling festive, and not a single bough of holly is necessary. To learn how to execute a holiday-inspired home design—one without Santas or stockings—we tapped designer Gideon Mendelson for his expert advice.
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Poinsettias: how to grow and care for the Christmas plant | House & Garden
As inextricable from mass festive wares as tinsel and paper hats, the poinsettia blazes red in most shops and homes during December. Being such an omnipresent sight makes it unappealing for many of us, but, thankfully – if the standard scarlet species makes you wince – there are less common forms available that are well worth buying to brighten the house this Christmas.