Many of the flower pots that we have the pleasure to plant and care for throughout the growing season lie sad and empty through the five longs months of winter here. Increasingly though, we have dressed up some of these pots with winter options. While the options are few, with a little creative thinking there are many solutions to empty pots.
Some of the best and simplest solutions are cut branches. The branches that look the best are red and green dogwood and curly willow branches. These retain their color throughout the winter but will eventually brown out. (Just in time for spring planting.)
Other options, particularly for pots on covered porches, are dried flower arrangements. Some of the heartiest flowers and foliage are yarrow, eucalyptus, protea, and cattails.
And finally, potted evergreens are wonderful, especially if you have room to plant them in the garden elsewhere in the spring. Mix sizes, heights and shapes.