Memorial Day is the perfect time to gather with loved ones, enjoy the (hopefully) beautiful weather, and honor the brave individuals who have served our country. While barbecues and good company are essential, creating a welcoming and festive atmosphere enhances the celebration. What better way to do that than by incorporating the natural beauty of plants into your décor?

Welcoming with Window Boxes

Your windows offer a prime opportunity to showcase festive flora. Window boxes brimming with color instantly add curb appeal and a cheerful touch for arriving guests. For a Memorial Day theme, consider a patriotic palette. Imagine vibrant red geraniums or petunias paired with crisp white alyssum or impatiens, and pops of blue from trailing lobelia or scaevola. The visual impact of these blooms right at eye level is sure to make a welcoming statement.

Adding Festivity with Railing Planters

If you have a porch, deck, or balcony, railing planters are fantastic for extending your garden vertically and adding splashes of color along walkways and seating areas. Continue the red, white, and blue theme here! Consider a more structured arrangement with upright white snapdragons or petunias, fiery red salvia or verbena for height, and trailing blue petunias or bacopa to cascade over the edges. Mixing textures, like adding silvery dusty miller or feathery asparagus fern, can elevate the visual interest and create a more dynamic display that catches the eye of your guests.

Creating Focal Points with Freestanding Planters

Larger planters strategically placed near your entrance, patio furniture, or gathering areas can serve as stunning focal points. Think about creating mini-gardens within these containers. A centerpiece of white lilies or hydrangeas surrounded by a sea of red and blue annuals would be a beautiful tribute. Alternatively, consider a more relaxed and abundant arrangement with a mix of colorful calibrachoa, petunias, and verbena in varying shades. Don't underestimate the impact of foliage! Incorporating plants with interesting leaf shapes and colors, like coleus or sweet potato vine, can add depth and complexity to your displays.

Adding Dimension with Hanging Baskets

Hanging baskets bring a delightful dimension to your outdoor decorating, adding pops of color at different heights. Imagine baskets overflowing with vibrant red and white impatiens, with delicate trails of blue lobelia or petunias cascading downwards. Another charming idea is to create single-color baskets – a vibrant red geranium basket here, a fluffy white petunia basket there, and a trailing blue verbena basket nearby – hung at varying heights to create a visually engaging display.

Design Tips for a Memorable Gathering:

• Consider Sightlines: Think about how your guests will move through your outdoor space and position your planters to maximize visual impact along those pathways and gathering areas.
• Coordinate Colors: While red, white, and blue are traditional for Memorial Day, don't be afraid to play with variations and complementary shades. Soft blues and silvery whites paired with deep reds can create a sophisticated look. Or, experiment with dots of purple or yellow!

• Incorporate Fragrance: Consider adding fragrant plants like sweet alyssum, petunias, or even herbs like rosemary and lavender to engage another sense and create a more immersive experience for your guests.
• Watering is Key: Especially as the weather warms up, ensure all your container plants are well-watered before your get-together. This will keep them looking their best and prevent wilting.
• Add Festive Touches: While plants are the stars of the show, you can subtly weave in other Memorial Day elements like small American flags tucked into the planters or red, white, and blue ribbons tied around hanging baskets for an extra festive touch.

By thoughtfully incorporating plants into your Memorial Day décor, you can create a vibrant, welcoming, and memorable atmosphere for your get-together, honoring the holiday with the beauty of the natural world.