Why Not…Use What’s In Your Yard

When decorating my house, I often cut fresh flowers and greenery from my yard, filling a vase or old bottle with the cuttings. If you wander around your house (and your neighborhood-smiling-no trespassing allowed) you will invariably find a variety of beautiful and architecturally interesting plants and flowers. I recently cut several stems of split leaf philodendron and placed them in a cool vase near a window. Each leaf is eye-catching with its variety of long splits and deep, rich color. They are naturally sculptural and add a fresh feel to any room. And they’ll stay green for a month. Look around. You can make a simple arrangement out of the widely available and easy to grow Knock Out Roses that you see everywhere. One of my favorite things to do is cut a Camellia and float it in a bowl,  interesting candy dish or wide mouth stem of crystal. It will maintain its delicate beauty for days and adds enormous color and interest to a table or countertop. Hydrangeas make fantastic additions to any room and can be found in a variety of vibrant colors. Or try cutting delicate azaleas and putting them in a simple bud vase. We live in a wonderful, colorful world full of green plants, fragrances (I love gardenias), holly, daylilies and iris. If you have a citrus tree with fruit on it, fill a bowl. Living things warm a space and in the winter, they make you feel less bluesy at no cost. A home always looks smarter, more sophisticated with fresh plants, fruit and flowers. So why not use what’s in your yard to add color to your home and infuse each room with the fresh natural beauty and fragrances that surround us.