Terracotta pots, hollowed-out tree trunks and remnants of trees felled by this summer’s storms are among the nontraditional and inspirational parts of wreaths now on display at Winterthur.
The dozen or so wreaths, on the footpath between the parking lot and museum, add a lot of whimsy to Winterthur’s Yuletide celebration.
They’re displayed on doors, pulled from storage and mostly painted a color known as Winterthur sage green, which Chris Strand, director of garden and estate, called “an architectural uniform” for the world-renowned collection. One wreath adorns a wooden door salvaged from a gothic folly.
This is the second time that Winterthur has created a gallery of wreaths for Christmas, Strand said, adding that the all-new designs were created by garden staff members, estate guides and garden guides.
The wide range of materials, almost all harvested from the Winterthur property, could inspire visitors to be equally creative at home.
The designs outshine the traditional Christmas wreath, featuring evergreen branches and lights, that he has at home. “Mine feels a little lackluster,” he said.
