Winter Porch Containers

Two Easy Recipes from Gertens

By Diana Pierce, November 12, 2025

Diana in front of her garage with a festive winter greens container. Photo: Scott Bemman

Brr! Winter has arrived, even if the snow hasn’t. The good news? You don’t have to say goodbye to your porch or entryway just because temperatures have dropped. Spruce tip containers bring texture, fragrance, and festive color to your outdoor spaces all season long.

These arrangement instructions are from Gertens Manager Cindy Wellman. I attended her workshop this past weekend at the Gertens Garden Center and I know if you follow these instructions, you’ll brighten your outdoor spaces all season long.

Recipe 1: Medium Wintergreens Container

Container Size: 11–12”

Ingredients:

• Potting soil

• 3–5 spruce tips (tallest in center, shorter/bushier around it)

• 3 Red Dogwood stems

• Accent greenery (choose 2): magnolia, eucalyptus, oregonia, Port Orford cedar, or incense cedar

• Choose three Bling options

• Finishing touches: pinecones, berries, or ribbon

• Optional: lights or weather-durable ornament

Cindy Wellman placing 1^st spruce tip dead center of container. Photo: Diana Pierce

Instructions:

1. Fill pot with potting soil

2. Place tallest spruce tips in center, shorter tips around perimeter

3. Edge spruce tips with Red Twig Dogwood to soften and add spills-over texture

4. Insert 3 Red Dogwood stems centered and upright for height and color

5. Add your choice of 2 accent greens around the rim

6. Wire on pinecones, berries, or ribbon (ensure wind and snow won’t displace them)

7. Add lights or ornament if desired

8. Water once to set the arrangement, then let it absorb moisture and freeze into place—enjoy all winter!

Recipe 2: Large Wintergreens Container

Container Size: 16–17”

Ingredients:

• Potting soil

• 4–6 spruce tips (tallest in center, shorter around it)

• 5 Red Dogwood stems

• Accent greenery (choose 3): magnolia, eucalyptus, oregonia, Port Orford cedar, or incense cedar

• Choose 3-5 Bling Options

• Finishing touches: pinecones, berries, or ribbon

• Optional: lights or weather-durable ornament

Instructions:

1. Fill pot with potting soil

2. Place tallest spruce tips in center with shorter tips surrounding

3. Edge spruce tips with Red Twig Dogwood around the rim

4. Insert 5 Red Dogwood stems centered and upright for height and color

5. Add your choice of 3 accent greens around the rim

6. Wire on pinecones, berries, or ribbon

7. Add lights or ornament if desired

8. Water once to set the arrangement—it will hold form through the season

Cindy Wellman and Diana after container completion. Photo: Gertens

And another workshop participant, Alina N., let me take her photo of her beautiful creation!

Alina N's Creation. Photo: Diana Pierce

Pro Tips from the Workshop:

• Wire your ribbons on—they stay crisp and perky in temperature swings plus the wire keeps them in place when our winter winds blow.

• Keep dogwood centered so the form reads vertical and intentional

• Red Pine adds drama: layer other textures inside it for visual depth

  
  

ALSO - Show me your porch pot!

I’d love to see your winter spruce tip creations — reply to this newsletter or tag #BloomWithMeWinter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloomwithdianapierce/

Happy Holidays,

Diana