How To Use British Foliage To Decorate The Christmas Table

Looking for festive decoration ideas, but looking to utilise Mother Nature? We asked Hannah Bryce, grower and floral designer at Minnow and Wolf, for her insight. Here’s her guide to crafting a natural Christmas tablescape.

(© Natasha Marshall)

How To Design A Natural Christmas Tablescape

At this time of year when we don’t have many British flowers to choose from, I love to use foraged foliage to decorate the Christmas table. When it comes to evergreen foliage, we are spoiled for choice with holly, mistletoe, pine and woody herbs such as thyme and rosemary. Beautiful scented roses may be over, but they throw out one last display with their glossy, cherry red hips which are wonderful to decorate with.

When designing a Christmas tablescape, I like to play with height and mix up vase shapes and sizes. The table is often filled with sharing bowls, candles and wine, so it’s important to work around this and make the most of the space you have available. By using a mixture of vases and flower frogs, you can play with height and shapes to add another dimension to the table, from a striking branch of holly in a tall vase to a pretty hellebore in a shallow bowl.

Round Tables

Forced bulbs such as paperwhites, hyacinths and amaryllis in pots make a great centrepiece if you have a round table. You could even add mini Christmas trees in pots tied with a ribbon.

Long Tables

If you are working with a long table, add individual arrangements down the centre. Bud vases work well for this.

Finishing Touches

If space allows, try scattering pine cones on the table or scented fruit such as dried oranges and limes. Star anise and cinnamon adds the scent of mulled wine to the table. For a pretty finishing touch, add clementines, a sprig of pine or rosemary to each napkin. You could also add star anise or dried flowers to napkins, tied with a ribbon for guests to take home and add to their Christmas tree.

To add a feeling of luxury to the table, add ribbons to your candle holders. You can layer up the ribbons for a dramatic effect. For the ultimate indulgence, add silver terrines along the table overflowing with chestnuts, clementines, grapes, pears and pomegranates to add drama.