Signal Mountain Nursery has several workshops planned to help local green thumbs get creative with their holiday décor or gift-giving.
First up is a Christmas fairy-garden workshop led by Celia Mattingly. On Saturday, Dec. 10 at 10 a.m., participants are invited to build miniature gardens using tiny plants, fairy figurines and other small items.
“It’s like the grown-up version of a dollhouse, but with plants,” said Signal Mountain Nursery owner Kim Bonastia, adding, “but kids like making them, too.”
The cost for the workshop is $29.99, which covers all the necessary supplies including container, soil, rocks, moss and three plants. Other small-scale garden accessories are available for purchase at the nursery for those who want to go all out with their mini gardens, which also make great gifts.
At 11 a.m. the same day, Bonastia is teaching a holiday wreath-making class at the nursery. She’ll have fresh greenery cut and ready to form into wreathes, along with other more unusual materials, such as foraged items one might find in the backyard but probably wouldn’t think to include in a holiday wreath, she said. The cost for materials is $30.
The following Saturday, Dec. 17, Bonastia is teaching customers to make their own poinsettia arrangements at 10 a.m. She and other nursery professionals will help people choose plants and create arrangements in baskets free of charge, aside from the cost of the plants chosen, she said.
“They make great Christmas presents or hostess gifts, especially for that person who has everything,” she said.
Unlike most area nurseries, Signal Mountain Nursery grows its poinsettias on-site, where staff can control the quality and produce unique varieties that won’t be found anywhere else, said Bonastia. Plus, since the plants don’t have to be transported, growing them at the nursery is also more environmentally friendly, she said.
Signal Mountain Nursery is at 1100 Hubbard Road. Since the classes have limited space, the nursery asks that people call to register at 886-3174.