SHOWCASING THE SEASON'S COLLECTIBLES
MAGGIE LEE
Text and Photos

Along the river and through the woods many a treasure invite gathering as festive additions to our holiday boughs and swags.

Some of these materials will benefit from collection before hard freezes to retain optimum color and shape. Maple, oak and bittersweet gathered at peak coloring will be less likely to disintegrate. Green and red crabapple berries, rose hips and coralberry branches hold color if selected earlier.

Blue-atlas cedar, grey junipers, bronze-green tinged arborvitae and cypress, willow and birch branches, acorn, lichens and cones should be collected before snow makes access difficult.

As a base for these pieces, I have purchased mixed evergreen wreaths…as well as lime-green china berries, pink pepper berries, fresh Spanish moss and eucalyptus.

Upon assembling, I first prune for shape and density, the existing evergreen wreaths. Then will add in with floral wire or with the aid of a glue gun, the other greens collected, layering color and texture. To this aromatic combination are added leaves, cones and mossy branches. Berries, fruits, dried Hawaiian torch gingers or woodroses contribute jewel-like colors and unexpected textures.

Lastly, willow-leaf eucalyptus, lichens and Spanish moss bring together these winter holiday distillations. Star-light, star bright…wishing together salubrious holiday cheer.

Maggie Lee is the proprietor of Terra Flora - a garden design-build landscape firm. She is available for holiday decor installation and can be reached at 505 982-6879 or through the Terra Flora website.

Find out more about how Santa Fe Botanical Garden celebrates, cultivates and conserves the rich botanical heritage and biodiversity of the region. Visit www.santafebotanicalgarden.org