Every year I bring out this vintage sleigh to decorate and place by my front door. Year to year the vignette and decorations vary. My holiday decorations and style are generally simple and rustic, and often using greens from my garden.

Making This Vignette:

Find an interesting piece for a base, such as this weather-worn sleigh. Choose a piece that is novel, whimsical, and might bring on a smile.

Use a focal piece or showstopper. I chose a 10” beautiful red poinsettia plant inspired from a recent tour at Weidner’s Gardens, organized by one of my garden clubs, The Village Garden Club of La Jolla.

Wrap the plant in simple burlap.

Cut Blue Juniper greens and Little Gem Magnolia pieces from my garden, arranging them on the sleigh. Look for greens, foliage, berries, pine cones in your garden, or possibly from a neighbor or friend.

Add another smaller interesting piece. In this vignette, an interesting pine cone from another part of California.

Add a colorful bow, if your vignette needs a pop. I didn’t want to take away from the color and beauty of the poinsettia, so I didn’t add a bow.

Make sure everything in your vignette can tolerate being outdoor for a period of time.

Enjoy what you have created. If you make a vignette, I would love to hear about it!

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…Bonnie

Incredible Holiday Beauty And Photo Opportunities At Longwood Gardens

In 1906, at the age of 36, Pierre S. du Pont bought the Pierce Farm and its surrounding forest outside of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, saving it from an impending sale of trees for lumber. These were no ordinary trees, but a collection of magnificent heritage trees planted and carefully tended to for decades. He confided in a letter to a friend that he had a moment of insanity buying this property, but he couldn’t stand the thought of the trees being cut down for lumber. As with many rescue situations the rescuer is the one that is saved back. This property which eventually became Longwood Gardens and part of the du Pont family legacy, became a spot for du Pont and his family to relax, entertain, and step back from his successful business world.

Starting small, and with no initial plan, du Pont began adding and and creating areas on the property heavily influenced by his world travels, and love of beauty. Many generations have helped create Longwood Gardens, but du Pont made the most enduring contribution, and ensured its future through the Longwood Foundation created in 1946 to handle his charitable giving, operating it “for the sole use of the public for purposes of exhibition, instruction, education, and enjoyment.” It is a fascinating history story, past, present, and moving into the future.

Topiary Garden Walking Up To The Conservatory

Recently, I visited Longwood Gardens during their “Longwood Christmas” December festivities program with indoor and outdoor lights, decorations, and flowers in full swing. Here are a few photos from my visit that I thought you might enjoy. If you have the opportunity to visit Longwood Gardens, you will be astounded, and absolutely love it. Longwood Gardens is worth a visit, no matter what the season.

Entrance to Longwood Gardens Conservatory

I enjoyed seeing the different floral designs, color combinations, and ideas used this year. A great way to gain new ideas, and stimulate your senses. Would this work in my garden? Could I make this display for my holiday home? How do the floral designers do this?

Close Up Of Conservatory Entrance

Mass plantings and repetition, one of my design mottos, create this wintry wonderland.

Ballroom With Christmas Trees Decorated By Children

Rows of Christmas trees decorated with ornaments made by children groups filled the elegant ballroom in the Conservatory. I was thinking—if these walls could talk. There is a massive pipe organ in this room where a lot of concerts were held. I loved the how the original wall sconces were decorated so elegantly.

Decorating with Purple Orchids, Christmas Trees, Lemon Cypress and Ferns

A sensational vignette of Christmas trees decorated with silver, gold, and purple orchids, softened by a base of more purple orchids, tiny lemon cypress trees, and ferns. Alice du Pont, wife of Pierre du Pont loved orchids.

One of My Favorite Spots in the Conservatory, Acacia Passage

I loved these living holiday orbs, made with dried grapevines, white moth orchids, textured Tillandsia, and Spanish moss. Cinnamon Wattle Trees, or Acacia leprosa, are trained to arch and drape over the walkway.

It Wouldn’t Be Christmas Without Poinsettias

Longwood Gardens grows over 1,000 poinsettias each year for their Christmas displays. Incredible sizes, varieties, and colors—not just red.

Close Up in the Orangerie

In the end, it is all about the details. Poinsettia-decorated Christmas trees hold court with Grapefruit trees in the Orangerie.

At Sunset The Holiday Lights Begin To Appear

At sunset, dusk, and into evening, Longwood Gardens becomes dressed in outdoor holiday color. You can sense how massive these trees are in relation to the people walking through them. So beautiful!

The Moon And Red Holiday Lights Reflecting On The Water

Seeing “red” was ruby beautiful with the moon joining in and all reflecting on the water.

The Italian Garden Showing Off

“Longwood Gardens is the living legacy of Pierre S. du Pont bringing joy and inspiration to everyone through the beauty of nature, conservation, and learning.” —Visitor Center Lobby, Longwood Gardens

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…..Bonnie