I'm sure it's obvious, but I don't have a lot to write about this time of year. About all I'll have for the next few months will be the occasional winter-blooming flower—something that seems almost miraculous here.

For now, though, I want to share some ideas about bringing things from the yard indoors for decorations. Sunset, Better Homes and Gardens, and so on always have articles about cutting "greens" for wreaths and other Christmas decorations. We can't walk out our back doors into forests to harvest greens here, but we do have plant materials we can use.

Here are some of the things I found in my Northern Nevada yard. You can do the same if you walk around yours and take a fresh look at everything.


This is a yew (shrub) by the front sidewalk that could use some pruning . . .


This is a euonymous (evergreen shrub). I should have fertilized it last summer.


I think this is oat grass. It might look pretty in a vase.



Rose hips could be substituted for red berries. I've also used small crabapples.



These snapdragons appeared a few years ago in a place where I don't remember planting them. They're amazing. I know they're considered cold weather flowers, but I can't believe they're still doing this well. I think I'll cut the last few flowers for a Christmas bouquet.


Rabbitbrush flowers become fluffy and cream colored when they freeze. Be careful if you use them indoors because they "shed."


This is one of my favorite plants: laurel bush (get It?).

I made the wreath below a few years ago with laurel branches, rabbitbrush, and crabapples. As you can see, I'm not Martha Stewart, but if I can do something like this, just think of what you could do!


To give you a lot more ideas on what to do with the materials you gather in your own yard, here are some links from Sunset's site::

"Decorate with winter greens"
"Seasonal entryways"
"Simple, elegant wreaths and garlands"
"Our Western wreath"
"Wreaths from the garden"
"All natural holiday decorating"
"Four steps to the perfect wreath"