How To Make A Winter Porch Pot With Evergreens And Artificial Fruit
Create a charming winter porch pot using evergreens and artificial fruit to add a festive touch to your home’s entrance. This guide provides step-by-step instructions to craft a beautiful and durable decoration perfect for the winter season.
Every winter, as the chill sets in, I find myself eager to create something that fills in the planters in front of my house and provides some winter greenery.
Which means coming up with a creative winter urn arrangement that will last until after Christmas.
This year, I decided to combine real evergreens (cedar and fir branches) with artificial plants and dried branches to make an interesting focal point for the porch or front of the garage.
The artificial elements, like ornamental cabbage and fruit, withstand the winter weather beautifully. While the evergreens provide the perfect backdrop to make them stand out.
And fairy lights ensure the whole winter planter sparkles even on the darkest nights.
Supplies
Materials:
- 1 artificial ornamental cabbage or kale – I used this one*. You could also use a live plant but you will need to remember to keep it watered.
- 8 to 10 cedar boughs – I bought some from my local big box store, but you could also cut them from your garden.
- 2 to 3 fir or spruce branches
- Wilt Pruf Christmas tree preserver* – this helps to keep the evergreens from drying out.
- 3 long gold branches*
- 1 magnolia branch – I used these artificial ones*, but you could cut branches from your garden if you have evergreen magnolias.
- 1 or 2 holly branches – I cut these from the holly bushes in my garden.
- wooden skewers
- 6 pieces of artificial fruit – I used these artificial artichokes* and this artificial fruit collection*.
- 3 pine cones – You can also buy pine cone picks instead of making your own, if you can find some that are big enough.
- 6 to 9 eucalyptus picks*
- 1 string fairy lights – I like to use these battery-operated fairy lights* so I don’t have to run an extension cord. They are waterproof and have a built-in timer so they come on at the same time every day. I find the batteries last for about 1 month before they have to be changed.
Tools:
- garden pruner – for cutting the branches
- urn or other tall planter – Make sure the container is frost-proof. Most ceramic ones aren’t and may crack in winter weather.
- drill with small drill bit
How to make a winter porch pot
1 | Prep work
Begin by cutting the cedar and fir branches into sections that are 2 to 3 feet long.
Spray with WiltPruf tree preserver* to prevent them from going brown as quickly.
Next, create pine cone picks. Take a pine cone and drill a small hole in its bottom. Then, insert a skewer into the hole. This will make it easy to position the pine cones in your arrangement.
For the artificial fruit, make similar picks by pushing a skewer into the bottom of each piece. This technique will help you securely place the fruit among the greenery.
If you have leftover dirt in your urn from summer planting, you can keep it in place. It will provide a sturdy base for your arrangement.
Otherwise, fill the urn with floral foam. This material is easy to work with and holds the branches and picks securely in place.
2 | Place the ornamental cabbage
Position the artificial ornamental cabbage or kale right in the center of the urn, slightly towards the front.
To keep it secure, push the stem into the dirt or floral foam until it feels stable.
If you’re using floral foam, be careful not to break the foam.
3 | Add cedar branches
Next, add cedar branches around the sides and front of your urn.
Select larger branches to place on the sides, allowing them to extend outward for a fuller look.
For the front, choose shorter branches and gently drape them over the edge to create a cascading effect.
This layering technique adds depth and interest to your arrangement.
Leave the back of the urn empty for now, as this will be filled in later.
4 | Put in curly willow branches
Place three curly willow branches behind the ornamental cabbage to add height and texture to your winter porch pot.
Push each branch into the soil until it is secure and stable.
To create a more natural look, try to vary the heights of the branches by pushing some in further than others.
5 | Add fir branches
Push the fir or spruce branches into the soil behind the curly willow branches.
Make sure the evergreen branches stand upright and fairly straight. This will help offset the height of the curly willow branches, so they look more balanced appearance.
When selecting your fir or spruce branches, choose ones that are full and healthy-looking. Trim any uneven ends or stray needles to give them a tidy appearance.
6 | Place the magnolia and holly branches
Cut the magnolia branch, leaving a long enough stem so it can be easily inserted into the soil.
Position it on one side of the ornamental cabbage.
Then place the holly branch on the opposite side to balance it out.
7 | Add artificial fruit and pine cones
To create a full and vibrant look for your winter porch pot, fill in any gaps around the ornamental cabbage using the artificial fruit and pine cone picks we made earlier.
Gently insert the picks into the soil or foam base, positioning them at different angles to create a natural appearance.
Make sure to distribute them evenly around the cabbage to balance the arrangement.
8 | Push in eucalyptus picks
Place eucalyptus picks between the artificial fruit and the evergreen branches to fill in any gaps.
They add a little bit of height and a different texture which contrasts with the fruit and makes the whole arrangement a little more interesting.
9 | String on the lights
Finally, take a string of outdoor fairy lights and weave them through the evergreen branches.
If you are using the battery-operated ones, hide the battery pack behind the fir branches at the back of the container.
Then wrap the lights around the branches, making sure to tuck them in and out to create a natural look.
As you wind the lights, try to distribute them evenly so that they illuminate different parts of the arrangement.
The finished winter porch pot
The finished winter planter definitely makes a focal point.
I created two of them, one to go on either side of the garage.
But they would also look great on the front steps or on the porch.
Then I made similar ones in the tall modern planters beside the arbor.
And they all look magical when the fairy lights come on at night.
Frequently asked questions
What types of evergreens work best for a winter porch pot?
For a winter porch pot, you can use a variety of evergreens such as pine, cedar, fir, and spruce. These types maintain their vibrant color and texture throughout the winter months. Mixing different types adds depth and interest to your arrangement.
How can I secure the evergreens in the pot?
To secure the evergreens, start by filling your pot with soil or floral foam. Insert the stems of the evergreens into the base material, ensuring they are firmly anchored. You can also use floral wire to tie larger branches together for added stability.
How do I maintain my winter porch pot throughout the season?
To maintain your porch pot, check regularly for any dried or damaged branches and replace them as needed. If the weather isn’t freezing, water the container occasionally to keep the fresh evergreens hydrated and looking fresh. Ensure the container is protected from harsh weather conditions, such as heavy snow or ice.
DIY Winter Porch Pot With Evergreens And Artificial Fruit
Print PinEquipment
- 1 garden pruner
- 1 frost-proof urn or other tall container
- 1 drill with a small drill bit
Ingredients
- WiltPruf Christmas tree preserver
- 3 or 4 pine cones
- 6 pieces artificial fruit
- 9 or 10 wooden skewers
- floral foam (optional) – only required if there isn't any dirt in the container
- 1 artificial ornamental cabbage
- 8 to 10 cedar boughs, cut to 2' to 3' lengths
- 3 long gold branches
- 3 or 4 fir or spruce branches cut to 2' lengths
- 1 artificial magnolia branch
- 1 holly branch
- 6 to 9 eucalyptus picks
- 1 string fairy lights
Instructions
- Spray evergreens with WiltPruf Christmas tree preserver to keep them fresher longer.
- Create pine cone picks by drilling a small hole in the bottom of each pine cone and inserting a skewer.
- Make picks from artificial fruit by inserting a skewer into the bottom of each piece.
- Keep existing dirt in the container or fill it with floral foam.
- Place the artificial ornamental cabbage or kale in the center of the urn, near the front, and push the stem into the dirt or floral foam to secure it.
- Push cedar branches around the sides and front of the urn, leaving the back empty. Use larger branches on the sides to stick out and drape shorter branches over the front edge.
- Add the curly willow branches behind the ornamental cabbage, varying their heights by pushing some further into the dirt than others.
- Place the fir or spruce branches behind the curly willow branches, ensuring they stand upright.
- Cut the magnolia branch, leaving a long stem, and place it on one side of the ornamental cabbage.
- Push the holly branch into the urn on the opposite side.
- Fill in gaps around the ornamental cabbage with artificial fruit and pine cone picks.
- Add eucalyptus picks between the fruit and greenery.
- Wind outdoor fairy lights through the evergreen branches.
Notes
- If the weather isn’t freezing, water the container occasionally to keep fresh evergreens hydrated and looking fresh
Have comments or questions about our DIY winter porch pot? Tell us in the section below.