The Christmas holiday theme continues this week with a hanging basket of balsam fir (Abies balsamea), Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), holly sprigs (Ilex x meserveae ‘Blue Princess’) and winterberries (Ilex verticillata).
I’ve added a snowflake-imprinted ribbon bow and a faux red cardinal to add an extra bit of pop to the evergreens.
Many thanks to Cathy at Rambling In the Garden, who hosts a weekly meme to showcase what is blooming in our gardens by creating arrangements to enjoy inside our homes. Wander over to see what gardeners all over the world are arranging this week. Feel free to join in, sharing your own weekly creation with a link to Cathy’s blog.
Eliza Waters 
What a great basket – I could use some help in putting mine together. I have the pine boughs sitting on the porch, but that is as far as I got!
Crisscross five branches in a circle around the edge to form a net and then add the rest ’til it looks full. Add bow or any extra decorations, like that mischievous elf!
Thank you! I will do this when I (finally) get to it. This weekend, for sure (after all, if I don’t do it this weekend, I’ve really missed my chance!).
Lovely arrangement – love the holly, and so very representative of Christmas. Feel quite jealous when it comes to Northern Hemisphere Christmas atmosphere, the chill winter and snow! I shall soon be putting up my ‘Christmas tree’, and having gone away from alien vegetation conifers, mine is an agave flower stalk 🙂 It’s sprayed green and gold and our ornaments are from Egypt – quite unorthodox 🙂
Thank you, Liz. I love your innovative native ‘tree’ and decorations. After a recent trip to California, I realized most of the world doesn’t experience a snowy Christmas and it is interesting to see all the different styles of decorations. It would make a interesting photo book, don’t you think?
A beautifully presented arrangement…wonderful against the white shiplap. I also love the falling snow effect on your blog.
Thank you, Noelle! A fun app from WordPress they offer every December!
Very festive looking basket.
Thank you!
A wonderful arrangement…with the combination of greenery.
Thank you, John. 🙂
It just makes me feel good, looking at this one. Something about it…..
Thank you, Mary. Glad you liked it!
utterly delightfully lovely!
Thank you so much. 🙂
Simply beautiful! Your ideas are so creative, Eliza!
Thank you so much, Anca!
So envious that you have holly. It grows in Maine, but only in certain microclimates. Lovely arrangement!
Ilex × meserveae ‘BLUE PRINCESS’ is hardy to zone 4, which should work for you. It is quite hardy here, even on the north side of the house.
Very pretty Eliza! The basket is the perfect container for the greens and berries.
Thank you, Kris! This basket is used on the porch year ’round with seasonal variations, mostly with silks.
Another fabulous idea and I have just the basket! Love all the holiday greenery. It must smell amazing.
Thank you, Donna. It is hung outside, so while it stays fresh without water in the cool air, I don’t get the benefit of smelling that piney scent. However, there are more arrangements inside. 🙂
Beautiful, and very festive. ‘Tis the season. 🙂
Thank you, Robin!
Your basket looks great, a great variation to the usual Christmas wreath.
So pretty!
Thank you!
Lovely basket arrangement. Very pretty, Eliza. 🙂
Many thanks, Judy!
It has been such fun seeing the different festive ‘vases’ bloggers are putting together – what a creative lot we all are! Thanks for sharing
Thank you for providing the meme for us to showcase our creations!
Nature’s festive gift! Looks great.
Thank you, Karen!
I love this! And it’s really doable…meaning I might actually pull something like this off 😉
Thank you, Heather. Quick and easy, too!
I’m so glad there are still vases on Monday! This is a beautiful basket and I like the hint about making a net to fill.
Thank you, Lisa. It is quite easy when you know a few ‘tricks’ 🙂 Glad to share.
How creative Eliza!
Thank you, Maria. 🙂
A lovely bright Christmas basket Eliza. Love the winterberries and holly. 🙂
Thank you, Cathy. 🙂
The greens and white are so fresh and crisp, and the red makes the whole thing warm. Very appealing & cheerful! I wish I had one for my front door!!!
Thank you! 🙂
I would have loved to make one for you out of laurel and pepper berry or hollywood. 😉
Hollywood! That would be PERFECT!
All native, no imports! 😉
Eliza, this is so attractive. Did you make the basket itself?
Thank you. No, basketmaking isn’t one of my talents. But maybe one day? 😉
So very pretty!
Thank you, Fi!
You always have such a great eye, Eliza.
Thank you so much, Kim! 🙂
I really liked this post, Eliza. I once wrote a post about how the pretty cardinal bird brought me a special spirit message and continues many times a year. (If you are ever interested press the tag “cardinal” on the side bar of my full post. 🙂 )
My small Christmas tree has little nests on it, red and cream gingham ribbons and bells on it. Due to my name, birds are part of my life. ♡ Thanks for this sweet and cheery basket featurung real natural pieces. Smiles, Robin
Thank you, Robin. Cardinals are such a lovely bird, both male and female. At one time I had several pairs, but for some reason, their numbers are down this year (might be the goshawk I’ve seen in the woods). 😦
Your tree sounds so beautiful – did you post a photo of it?