Use a few colourful winter stems and seasonal blooms from the garden to make a classy vase display. Spindly stems can be snipped from cornus without spoiling the shape of the plant and form a fiery backdrop for crisp, white hellebores
Use a few colourful winter stems and seasonal blooms from the garden to make a classy vase display. Spindly stems can be snipped from cornus without spoiling the shape of the plant and form a fiery backdrop for crisp, white hellebores.
1 Use secateurs to trim spindly sideshoots from established cornus or willow plants, cutting back to where they started from.
2 Arrange the stems in water at the back of the vase then snip a few hellebore, snowdrop or spring snowflake flower stems, making a slanted cut.
3 Plunge these stems into just boiled water for 20 seconds, then arrange them at the front of the vase.
4 Cover the vase with a knitted vase cover to continue the wintry theme, and keep on a cool windowsill, changing the water every three days.
See February's issue for more gardening craft inspiration.