As the holiday season approaches, why not add a festive touch to your table by designing a European dish garden? Let me show you how!
This Post is Sponsored by Costa Farms
As the holiday season approaches, one of my favorite ways to decorate my table is to bring the outdoors in by creating a stunning European dish garden. Designing a living centerpiece using green and blooming plants help combine the beauty of nature with the joy of the celebration. No matter if your decorating style is garden style, rustic, or traditional, creating the perfect European dish garden will add a touch of elegance to your home.
Whether this is your first thyme visiting the blog or you are one of my regular readers, welcome! I am so glad you are here! I appreciate you stopping by! For those of you new to the blog, you will soon discover my interests range from Flowers ( a former florist) to Flour (a former pizzeria owner ) and many things in between! I often describe myself as a Zone 6a girl living in a tropical world!
Designing A European Dish Garden
A festive Holiday European Dish Garden – doesn’t that sound elegant? What makes a dish garden “European”, you ask? The secret behind a European Dish Garden is in the way it is “planted” and what types of plants are used.
Creating a Holiday European Dish Garden is a quick process because the plants are left in their individual pots and grouped together in a basket, container or pot. Leaving the plants in their individual containers and arranging them in the container (pot, basket or ceramic type) is a great time saver.
Also, by definition, a European Dish Garden combines green and blooming plants together in a single container.
This Holiday themed European Dish Garden would make a great gift for a loved one or even for yourself! After the Holidays, the dish garden can be dismantled and the individual plants repotted.
Let’s talk about the steps involved in creating the dish garden.
Container Options for European Dish Gardens
The first step is to choose your container. Almost any type of container suitable for plants can be used. Baskets, terra cotta pots, ceramic vessels and wooden boxes are all popular choices. One important consideration is where your finished European Dish Garden will be placed. If the container is not water tight, you will want to add a liner or something that will catch the water so it doesn’t leak on to your furniture.
When selecting the container, think of your overall decorating esthetic. Whether you prefer a traditional, rustic, or contemporary look, the right container can elevate the visual impact of your European dish garden, adding an extra layer of elegance to your holiday celebrations.
I am making the European Dish Garden to use as a centerpiece for the Holidays. Since my overall style is more rustic in nature , I am going to use one of my favorite vintage pieces. This carrier has been part of my collection for over twenty years. It was purchased from a dear friend. I love the deep green color. It has some of the old blue paint peeking thru on the front.
Selecting the Right Plants for a European Dish Garden
To create a European dish garden, you will want to gather a selection of green and blooming plants. The folks at Costa Farms gifted me with a selection of Norfolk Island Pine and beautiful red anthuriums.
The Norfolk Island Pine will add texture and visual interest to the dish garden with its feathery looking needles. It looks like a tiny little Christmas tree, doesn’t it?
The red anthuriums will add a striking pop of color. The red color is so intense, it almost glows!
Ready to “Plant” The European Dish Garden
As you assemble your dish garden, pay attention to how the colors and textures work together. Since the plants are in their own individual containers, it is easy to move them around in the container until you are pleased with the arrangement. Once your European dish garden is finished, it is ready to be placed on your table to serve as a focal point for your holiday festivities!
Design elements for a festive holiday European dish garden
Consider adding miniature ornaments, such as tiny bells, decorative picks or festive ornaments, to infuse your dish garden with a whimsical holiday feel. If your container is large enough, enhance the visual appeal of your arrangement by incorporate a variety of textures, such as moss, pebbles, or decorative rocks, to create visual interest and depth. Additionally, incorporating seasonal accents, such as pine cones, holly berries, or small decorative lights, can add a touch of holiday magic to your European dish garden. The key is to strike a balance between natural elegance and festive cheer.
I kept this dish garden simple and just used the snowflake pick to add a festive touch. Here are a few other holiday dish gardens where I added more elements to the finished European dish garden.
Gingerbread Accented European Dish Garden
Although they are hard to see, I added jingle bells and a few faux succulents to this holiday European dish garden. The seasonal sign adds another festive touch!
Merry & Bright Novelty Poinsettias
Caring for your European dish garden during the holiday season
Proper care and maintenance are essential for ensuring that your European dish garden remains beautiful throughout the holiday season. Place your dish garden in a spot that receives ample natural light. Water your dish garden regularly, checking the moisture levels of the soil to ensure that it remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Additionally, consider misting the foliage of your plants to maintain the appropriate level of humidity, especially if your home tends to be dry due to indoor heating.
European dish garden display ideas for the holidays
Incorporating your European dish garden into your holiday decor can be a delightful and creative endeavor. Consider using your dish garden as a centerpiece on your dining table, like I did. As an alternative, you can place your dish garden on a sideboard or console table, allowing it to add a touch of natural elegance to your home. For a more whimsical approach, consider incorporating fairy lights or decorative ribbons into your dish garden display, adding a festive touch that complements the holiday season. By integrating your European dish garden into your holiday decor, you can create a visually captivating and enchanting atmosphere that celebrates the beauty of nature and the joy of the festive season.
For the complete how-to guide on designing a European Dish Garden, please continue reading!
How To Design a Holiday European Dish Garden
Fill an old tool carrier, old wooden box or long window box with petite Norfolk Island Pine Trees and bright red anthuriums to create a festive Holiday centerpiece.
Follow these steps whether you are making this as a centerpiece for an event or to give as a gift.
Materials
- selection of 4 1/2 inch green plants, I used Norfolk Island Pine trees
- selection of 4 1/2 inch blooming plants, I used red anthuriums
Tools
- old wooden carrier or similar container
Instructions
- select your container. I wanted to use my favorite green tool carrier.
- gather your green & blooming plants
- add the first plant to the container
- nestle one of the blooming plants next to the first green plant
- continue to add plants until your carrier is full
Notes
Unique touches and decorations for a festive European dish garden
Adding unique touches and decorations to your European dish garden can help enhance its visual appeal while infusing it with the spirit of the holiday season. Consider incorporating miniature holiday figurines, such as reindeer, snowmen, or angels, to create a whimsical and festive ambiance within your dish garden. Additionally, adorning your arrangement with tiny ornaments, decorative ribbons, or miniature gift boxes can add a playful and celebratory touch to your European dish garden. To evoke a sense of winter wonderland, consider sprinkling a light dusting of faux snow or iridescent glitter over the foliage of your plants, creating a magical and enchanting scene that captures the spirit of the holiday season. By infusing your European dish garden with unique touches and decorations, you can create a captivating and memorable centerpiece for your holiday festivities.
Maintenance tips for after the holiday season
As the holiday season draws to a close, it's essential to transition your European dish garden into a post-holiday phase with care and consideration. Gradually remove any holiday-specific decorations and accents from your dish garden, allowing its natural beauty to take center stage once again. Consider refreshing the soil and grooming the foliage of your plants, removing any spent blooms or dead leaves to promote healthy growth and vitality. By maintaining and caring for your European dish garden, you can continue to enjoy its natural beauty and vitality long after the holiday season has passed.
Save This Pin For Later!
Disclosure: this post was written in collaboration with Costa Farms
All opinions are my own.
Please see my disclosure page for more information.
[…] Festive Holiday European Dish Garden […]