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From Garden to Mantel: Creative Ways to Use Natural Elements in Holiday Décor
How to repurpose dried hydrangeas, seed pods, and ornamental grasses into rustic holiday accents
The most beautiful holiday decorations often come straight from nature — and often from your own garden. As the seasons shift, dried blooms, seed pods, and ornamental grasses can be repurposed into stunning, sustainable accents for your home. With a little creativity, you can bring the textures and colors of your garden indoors for a warm, natural look that celebrates the season.
Dried Hydrangeas: Soft, Timeless Beauty
When your hydrangeas begin to dry, don’t toss them — they’re perfect for holiday arrangements. Cut the blooms once they’ve started to fade but still hold their shape, then hang them upside down in a cool, dry place for a week or two. Once dried, their papery petals take on vintage hues of green, rose, and cream.
Use them in wreaths, centerpieces, or garlands for a soft, romantic feel. Dried hydrangeas also pair beautifully with evergreens or white lights on your mantel for an elegant, understated holiday display.
Seed Pods: Natural Texture and Rustic Charm
Seed pods add sculptural interest to your holiday décor. Collect them from plants like coneflowers, milkweed, or lotus — their shapes and textures make them perfect for accent pieces. Arrange them in vases, tuck them into wreaths, or tie them with twine and burlap for a rustic look.
For a subtle festive shimmer, brush them lightly with metallic paint or mist with gold or silver spray. This simple touch brings out their form while keeping a natural, earthy feel.
Ornamental Grasses: Graceful and Golden
Ornamental grasses, with their feathery plumes and warm tones, are ideal for adding height and movement to holiday displays. Cut and dry them early in the fall, then use them in tall vases or mix them with pinecones, berries, and evergreen sprigs. Their texture contrasts beautifully with more traditional holiday greens, adding a modern, airy feel to arrangements.
Bringing It All Together
When you combine these elements — hydrangeas for softness, seed pods for structure, and grasses for height — you create natural arrangements with warmth and character. Add candles or twinkle lights to highlight the textures, or weave these elements into a garland or wreath for a cohesive look.
Decorating this way connects your home to your garden and celebrates the full cycle of the seasons — from summer blooms to winter gatherings. It’s a creative, sustainable, and deeply personal way to decorate for the holidays.
FAQ: Using Natural Elements in Holiday Décor
Q: How do I keep dried flowers and seed pods from shedding indoors?
Spray lightly with clear floral sealant or hairspray to help hold petals and seeds in place.
Q: Can I mix fresh and dried materials in one arrangement?
Yes! Combining fresh evergreens with dried elements creates contrast in texture and color — just be sure to keep fresh stems in water or floral foam.
Q: How long will dried hydrangeas and grasses last?
If kept in a dry area out of direct sunlight, they can last several months — even up to a year.
Q: Are there other plants I can dry for décor?
Absolutely. Try drying lavender, eucalyptus, statice, or strawflowers for added color and fragrance.
Q: What’s the best way to store dried materials after the holidays?
Store them in a sturdy box lined with tissue paper in a cool, dry spot. Avoid crushing or exposing them to humidity.
Bring Nature Indoors This Holiday Season
Visit Lakeview Nurseries at 308 Electric Avenue (Route 13), Lunenburg, MA 01462, or call (978) 342-3770 to explore natural décor inspiration, holiday greenery, and locally grown plants. You’ll find everything you need for your seasonal projects, including Proven Winners® plants, Espoma fertilizers, Jonathan Green lawn care products, and SunGro soils. Lakeview Nurseries is proud to feature the American Beauties Native Plant Collection for pollinators and offers expert advice to help you decorate sustainably this season.
Download the free Lakeview Nurseries app at CLICK HERE for seasonal decorating ideas, gardening tips, and exclusive offers —
from Michelle and the Plant Geeks at Lakeview Nurseries.
