Learn how to make these beautiful outdoor Christmas planters made with Birch branches and Winterberry. A quick and easy accent for your holiday porch decor.
Last year I made winter porch pots as part of my holiday porch decor and they were such a hit, that I just had to make them again this year.
But of course I wanted them a little bit different than last year. This year I decided Birch branches and bright red Winterberry were calling my name.
You can click below to see the tutorial on the big screen (as us movie producers like to say), or see detailed instructions below the video.
If you prefer, you can watch an ad-free version of this tutorial on my YouTube Channel HERE.
How To Make Outdoor Christmas Planters
Gather your supplies:
- Pot Of Dirt
- 3 Birch Branches
- Noble Fir
- Pine
- Cedar
- Juniper
- Winterberry
The urn I am using was on my summer and fall front porches with a Kimberly Queen Fern in it.
Last year when I made my pots, I just cut down the mums that had been in my pots to soil level and used that to anchor my materials. Nature's own little flower frog.
I tried to do that with the fern, but unless I used my cordless drill to make holes in it (drilling and gardening rarely go together), it was going to be just too dense to stick anything into.
Ferns have a ridiculously tight root structure. It was sort of like trying to jam things into cement.
So I opted to dump the fern out, filled the urn with potting soil and compacted it as firmly as I could. The Birch branches are sort of heavy, so if you are using fresh dirt like I did, compacting it is ESSENTIAL.
So anyhow, let's start with your container.
Poke your Birch branches into the soil as far as they will go.
Take a few Noble Fir branches and stick them in around the Birch branches.
Distribute your Pine branches throughout the pot. They look similar to the Noble Fir, just a little floppier and good for filler.
Insert and drape your Cedar branches along the rim. Make sure you cascade some over the edge.
Insert Juniper in clusters along the front so you can see the pretty blue berries.
Top it off with the bright red, Christmas spirit inspiring Winterberry stems. Group toward the front of the container so you can enjoy them in all their glory!
That's it.
This whole pot took maybe 10 minutes to make. Just about the quickest way to add Christmas cheer without being illegal.
BTW, I am showing off my full porch decor on Monday's post with a few of my porch obsessed friends. I may have something pretty darn special lined up for it. See you then!
Other winter porch decor you may enjoy:
20 Beautiful Outdoor Winter Planter Ideas
Evergreen Winter Planter Winter Planter Tutorial
DIY Porch Pots - An Incredibly Easy Winter Porch Pot Hack
Diane
Pam, just beautiful! We all learn so much from your gifts, talents and creativity! Everything you do, you make it look so easy. Thank you so much for always, always sharing YOU with us!
Jen Pohto
Does this greenery die off in your planter? I’ve never had luck with my winter planters! Thanks!
Haily
Do you have any idea approximately how many lbs of greens you use in a planter like this ? I’m ordering in bulk by the pound to make a few & im not sure how many lbs I would need. Thank you!!!
Pam Kessler
I actually don't, but I would estimate 3-5 pounds per planter? It looks like there's a lot in there, but it's really not a HUGE amount. There was 3 pieces of Noble Fir (which would be the heaviest just because it has thicker branches) and then approximately 6 small pieces each of the Pine, Cedar and Juniper. And then for the curly willow, probably 6-8 pieces in various sizes.
Mariya
Your Christmas planters are gorgeous. I can’t wait to recreate them for my building entrance. How tall approximately are the birch logs and your planter? Thank you so much for the info!
Amy
Hello. Such beautiful ideas. I have very large/thick pieces of birch, any idea on how to trim easily? Also I would like to make these more for indoor decorations. without dirt. Would you suggest foam and fake branches like the noble fir? Thank You
Joellen Pelletier
I wouldn’t bring inside because of ticks
Mary Campbell
What diameter and length did you use for the birch logs?
Pam Kessler
Mine are 20" long by 2" wide. I made quite a few as teacher gifts last year and those were a bit thicker (closer to 2 1/2"-3") and they worked fine.
Kay
Hi. Love this planter. What size are the birch logs, and where can U purchase these?
Kristin
How long are your birch sticks?
Thanks!
Jolene
Where do you get the greenery?
Pam Kessler
A local garden center should have the greenery, berries and birch logs. And my Home Depot normally has small bundles they will sell, but I'm not sure if that is nationwide or specific to just that store.
Megan
Do these require watering to keep it green and not dry out?
Garden Dad
Lovely planters! I think they are a great alternative for Christmas trees, or you can put them up together to make everything more festive!
Kim
I love these planters and would love to create one of my own. Great tutorial and I'm pinning.
[email protected]
lovely porch planters. love the birch.
Mary
Do you water the plants daily and do they last through Christmas, since they are cuttings?
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage
This is absolutely beautiful. Love it.
Pam
Thank you Kris! I LOVE decorating the porch for the holidays!
Vickie Kern
You have such a magic touch when it comes to outdoor arrangements, Pam! Love, love, love it!!
Pam
Aww, thank you! I think they're fun to make, too bad I don't have room for twenty of them on my porch!
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
So pretty, Pam! The winterberries are a wonderful spot of color!
Pam
Hope the cardinals don't find them on the porch 🙂
KJ
Where is the best place to find the needed plants and birch limbs for this planter? I’m new to this. ☺️
Pam Kessler
You can either scavenge for the greens in your yard or purchase them at a local nursery/garden center. The last few years Home Depot has also sold bundles of mixed greens for pots. You can also find just the birch limbs at crafts stores like Michaels and JoAnns.
KJ
Thank you so much!
Melinda Huntimer
Where do you get all of the supplies to make an outdoor Christmas planter?