
Christmas table decorations with a natural green and floral look
Brighten up your Christmas table with these natural festive arrangements using evergreens and winter-flowering shrubs. Here's two simple examples to make yourself. Words and styling Bea Andrews, photography Andrew Montgomery
A delicious home-cooked dinner is the defining moment on Christmas Day and what better way to dress up the occasion than with a dinner table adorned with seasonal and festive decorations? Here we have two designs from gardener and floral designer Bea Andrews that are elegant and simple but will have your family suitably impressed.

Table runner weight
Aromatic, shrubby evergreen herbs, such as rosemary, sage and bay, and winter foliages, such as Eucalyptus, Pittosporum and Sarcococca, are all suited to this mini-posy. I used Eucalyptus populnea but any berried eucalyptus will work. You’ll find berried eucalyptus sold in florists, although it is something of a misnomer as the berries are actually flower buds.

You’ll need
- 1 bushy branch or 10 woody sprigs of rosemary
- 1 berried Eucalyptus sprig
- Natural jute twine
- Scissors, secateurs
- Pearl-headed pin
To make
- Leave the rosemary and Eucalyptus sprigs to rest in water for 24 hours before arranging. Allow to dry then form into a small posy. Tie together with twine, leaving a long piece at each end to attach to the table linen.
- Gather the table runner at the top end of the table and position your posy just short of the table top. Tie it to the linen with the twine.
- To stop it moving, secure the posy to the table runner and tablecloth at the back with a pin.
Festive wine glass
Create simple, thoughtful Christmas table decorations by adding scented foliage to glasses or napkins. To transform your wine or champagne glasses, use soft, small-leaved stems of Eucalyptus or choose sprigs of scented, winter-flowering shrubs such as Christmas box (Sarcococca).

You’ll need
- 3 Eucalyptus stems
- Florist’s stem tape
- Satin ribbon
- Scissors, secateurs
To make
- Arrange all three Eucalyptus stems in a small bunch with one facing downwards. Wrap stem tape around the middle of the bunch.
- Cut a piece of thin satin ribbon and tie it around the stems to cover the tape.
- Position the bunch on the wine glass vertically and attach it with ribbon.
Why not try to create our floral advent calendar?
For more gift ideas and inspiration, head to our Christmas hub
HALF PRICE SALE- 13 issues for just £30*
Special offer to celebrate RHS Chelsea Flower Show! Get 13 issues of Gardens Illustrated magazine for just £30*- saving over 50%. Subscribe today and enjoy beautiful places, top planting ideas and expert advice for your garden. *Offer ends 1st July 2022. This offer is only available to UK residents paying by Direct Debit
Container Gardening Special Edition
The Gardens Illustrated Guide to Container Gardening. In this special edition, discover colourful flower combinations and seasonal planting schemes for pots designed by leading plantspeople, and essential know-how for container gardening success. Just £9.99 inc UK p&p
By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.