Deck the Yard With Creative Winter Designs

A container doesn't need a lot of different materials to have big impact. This grouping gets its punch from sugar pinecones 10 to 20 inches long. In the largest pot, thick stems of curly willow stained red add height. Use several greens: boxwood, cedar and white pine.

Start by placing rigid foam inside the pot to secure materials. Wire the cones together, and tuck them into the foam. Instead of the boughs, you could use an evergreen wreath (like those sold by civic organizations) to form a collar around the edge of the pot.