With their white flowers, Christmas Roses smarten up the view from the warm living room into the cold and dark outside. Not surprising, really, that they are one of the most popular plants for window boxes and planters in the cold time of year. We tried a new approach, putting the Christmas Rose up on its very own window sill. With this arrangement, the Christmas Rose flowers can be used to decorate any little spot that might be available, even if there is no balcony or garden to plant them in. This DIY idea with Christmas Roses is a lovely way to brighten your view into the cold and dark or to give a glimmer of light to others.
ACCOMPANYING PLANTS
e.g. prostrate stonecrop varieties and alum root with silvery flushed leaves
CloseFELT RIBBON AND HOLIDAY LIGHTS
CloseDECORATIVE ITEM AND CORD
e.g. a matching snow star and (matching the wooden stars) light brown macramé cord
CloseDECORATIVE WOODEN STARS
CloseCONCRETE BOX
ClosePOTTING SOIL
CloseMOSS
Close
Tie together about 3 twigs each with wire. Stick 3 bundles into the planter to create the window frame, making sure to stick them in very close to the back of the box, and use rocks as needed to provide support. We chose to cast our own concrete box, because it provides a modern, unemotional contrast with the playful design.
Use macramé cord to tie the remaining 2 twig bundles horizontally to the frame. There is no need for a bottom bar, because the cross members provide sufficient stability and the bottom of the window is screened by the plants anyway.
Fill in the planting media. Make sure the window frame is very close to the back of the concrete box so that there is enough room for the planting in the front.
Now plant the Christmas Rose first and then its companion plants. Place the Christmas Rose at the centre so that the other plants underscore rather than hide it.
For a harmonious, full overall picture, you may want to fill any gaps with moss.
Drape small holiday lights along the outer edges of the frame and hide the power source (plug or battery) behind the concrete box, if possible. The small decorative star will make a cheerful eye catcher in the upper third of the window.
Hot-glue a decoration made from macramé cord and wooden stars to the concrete box to create a visual connection between all three elements – window, plants and box.
The Christmas Rose with the decorative frame, especially in combination with holiday lights, is a lustrous winter delight.