The Christmas season is truly a time that appeals to all of the senses. Memories abound as we work to create new ones to cherish. In many respects, our homes are a shrine to the holidays and a simple bowl of potpourri is a welcome addition to that ambiance.
It was by accident that we created our own potpourri and it is that potpourri that we still use today – rejuvenated, of course, every year. It was years ago that we had access to numerous cut conifer branches of all kinds, some of which were excess from a garden centre during the holiday season. This included such pine varieties – red, white, Scotch, Austrian along with spruce, fir and cedar. These were simply left to air dry naturally right on the branches in our garage. It was after the season that we decided to use these as a basis for our own potpourri mix and we now were looking forward to next year’s holidays. Large needles were removed from the branches, white pine and cedar was cut into small wispy shapes. What we created became a personal mixture that included ingredients that came also from our own garden and surprisingly our kitchen. Spices in the form of seeds and pods added, not only visual appeal, but scent and texture as well. These included allspice, cloves, Chinese five spice, nutmeg along with cinnamon sticks and bay leaves.
We used a traditional method to put together our potpourri creation. Research was done and ingredients collected from many sources. From our garden, we collected dried flower heads from plants that were past their prime such as bronze fennel and hydrangea, large seeds and pods from a variety of plants, winged stems from our euonymus burning bush, miniature rosehips from a wild rose bush, and bark from a Seven Sons tree. The list, of course, could go on. Be selective. All botanicals from our garden were dried thoroughly. On neighbourhood, walks we collected pods such as sumac and cones from a variety of conifers. The smaller the cone, the better, and when back at home, all was carefully dried. All potpourri ingredients, when completely dry, were placed in a large 60-litre plastic storage bin. This allowed for the ingredients to be mixed easily and gently.
Traditionally at this point, orris root powder was added. This powder is the dried and powdered root of the sweet iris plant “iris pallida” which has a long history of use in the fragrance industry. It is readily available for sale through internet sources and is relatively inexpensive. Orris root powder has a mild violet-like scent and is used as a fixative or stabilizer in a potpourri mix to aid in prolonging the fragrance. I add only enough orris root powder to LIGHTLY coat the mixture. Avoid a heavy coating, as this can be unsightly.
As for fragrance, you will need to add an essential oil. Essential oils are concentrated aromatic compounds that have been derived from plants through the process of distilling. Essential oils are available through health food stores and the internet. A small vial can be pricy depending on the quality and brand but well worth it. Use the testers to decide which fragrance you would like to use. They range from a variety of herbs, flowers, and trees. We have had successful results with balsam fir needle. We felt that pine was too harsh and that citrus oils were not quite Christmas. Add several drops to the bin and thoroughly mix, scooping up carefully and gently from the bottom to avoid breakage. Place the lid back on the bin and allow the potpourri to age and ripen in a dark place for about a month. Stir occasionally. The fixative absorbs the oil, which can dissipate quickly over time and will prolong the fragrance when exposed to the air. The potpourri will last forever in the bin. Check often to test the strength of the essential oil. You may need to add a few more drops and mix.
When mature, place your potpourri in a large-mouth bowl for maximum fragrance and to showcase special decorative elements that you have added to the top. Perhaps magenta red hibiscus flowers from the health food store, dried rose buds and petals from bouquets that were long finished and those peels from small thin-skinned clementines can all be used along with some tiny cones and pods. For a colourful citrus look, add dried sliced oranges and lemons. These are easy to make. Place thin slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet and dry in a 200-225 degree oven for a couple of hours.
You will now have created enough potpourri for yourself and to give as gifts as well. After Christmas simply return the mix to the bin, close tightly and re-use next holiday with a few more drops of essential oil.
So you say that you do not have the three to four weeks after you read this to make your own Christmas potpourri. A quick and easy method eliminates the need for orris root powder and instead uses a commercially blended home fragrance. These are often called refresher oils and can be found at many home decorating stores. This method also allows for you to quickly create a much smaller amount of mix. A drawback is that there is no fixative used so it will be necessary to continually add oil during the holiday season.
So look carefully in your garden for suitable botanicals. Go for those walks through your garden with a trug and secateurs in hand! If you have conifers, this is even better. If not, purchase a mixed bunch of evergreens at your local garden centre. Dry thoroughly. Open your spice cupboard. Look for those pods and seeds that will give visual appeal and scent. Visit the health food store for unusual exotics such as hibiscus flowers if that is up your alley. But above all, enjoy the sights and smells of the holiday season especially those that you have created yourself and that will take you into the winter wonderland of the new year.
By Robert Newman
Guelph-Wellington Master Gardeners