Last-minute holiday decorating that looks great all winter long at Planting Fields
You can replicate festive décor with natural textures for a low-cost, environmentally friendly and gorgeous display that's one of a kind.
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Looking for last-minute holiday decor? You might find everything you need right now in your garden! We visit the gorgeous Main House at Planting Fields for some inspiration.
At Planting Fields in Oyster Bay on the North Shore of Long Island, Christmas feels and smells like magic. The festive décor glows with natural textures from the grounds and local gardens across the Island. Best of all, you can replicate this in your home for a low-cost, environmentally friendly and gorgeous display that's one of a kind.
I'd be hard to replicate the attention to detail you can find at this gorgeous historical site, but you'll have everything you need for success with this guide! I spoke with Rebecca Slagle, sustainability coordinator at Planting Fields Foundation and the person who put so many of these displays together.
Where to find materials that work in holiday displays
One of the easiest ways to decorate naturally is to look down. Pinecones make a really interesting textural element to display. Rebecca uses eastern white pinecones, which are native and all over the place in our area, for large displays like Christmas trees. The sap from these cones stains them white, which adds a nice wintry element that's completely natural. Larger cones from southeastern natives like long leaf pines are rare to find here naturally but are sure to make an impact if you can source them. A nice alternative would be the cones from Norway spruce, which is nonnative but in many landscapes across the tri-state.
Pro tip: Bake pine cones at a low temperature for about 30 minutes to remove moisture and pests before decorating.
Dry seasonal plants for year-round use
Natural décor doesn’t have to be short-lived or woodsy. Look for skeletons from perennials like allium, also known as ornamental onion. The globe-shaped flower heads dry really well in late spring and can be saved for winter displays. In autumn, ferns produce fertile fronds. You can find these fronds sticking up long after the other fronds dry up. Cut these fronds up and spray paint them for a really unusual texture and shape for displays!
Don't have a garden - how about leftover food?
Did you know that wintertime is citrus season? Oranges, lemons, even apples all dry beautifully and can be used as tree or wreath ornaments. It's probably best to leave these inside though unless you'd like to feed the birds.
How to dry fruit in the oven
Thinly slice oranges.
Place them on a baking rack.
Dry in the oven on the lowest setting for two to three hours, flipping occasionally.
Let cool completely before decorating.
Did you know there is a cold tolerant citrus relative called the hardy orange (Poncirus trifoliata)? The fruit from this tree would be a great candidate for a decorative winter fruit bowl or to dry for decorations. That's about the only use they have because the taste is horrible. Call it an opinion, but it's just a plain fact!
Visit Planting Fields This Winter
Planting Fields is filled with inspiration all year long. For a short time longer, you can see these decorations up close with holiday house tours through Dec. 28. The tours showcase the estate’s beautifully decorated interiors and seasonal traditions. These tours highlight how historic homes were dressed for the holidays, with natural elements taking center stage.
The Diplomat Behind-the-Scenes Tour
Planting Fields served as the filming location for the season 3 finale of Netflix’s "The Diplomat," and fans can now explore the site through a special guided tour. Holiday décor will still be in place through March, offering a rare glimpse at how the estate transitions from festive elegance to early spring.
