How Your Arrangements are Arranged

As the days grow shorter and the garden shifts into its winter rest, we know many of our clients are looking for ways to keep their outdoor spaces feeling vibrant and welcoming. That’s why we’re thrilled to welcome Chelsea, a talented landscape designer with a flair for seasonal artistry, as our guest blogger this month.

Winter container arrangements are one of Chelsea’s specialties—beautiful, textural compositions that bring structure and life to even the frostiest corners of the garden. In this post, she shares a behind-the-scenes look at how she approaches these designs, from selecting durable evergreens and natural accents to balancing color and form for the winter season.

We invite you to step into Chelsea’s creative process and gather a few ideas to transform your own containers into stunning winter displays.

I’ve always loved to work with my hands—whether arranging plants in the soil or painting on a canvas. When designing a container, I think in terms of composition: balancing plant sizes, playing with color schemes, and weaving in contrasting textures. 

Much of my inspiration comes directly from the field. As a gardener with Atzinger Gardens I get to work directly in the soil, planting, weeding, pruning, etc. I’m always snapping photos of plants I encounter and while visiting local greenhouses. I draw ideas from my mentor Ruth Atzinger, Detroit Garden Works, Proven Winners, and, of course, social platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. At the core of my work, my goal is to create a welcoming experience for each home or place of business. There’s something uniquely inviting about being greeted by a living arrangement along a footpath or at the front door.

To me, containers are more than vessels filled with plants—they’re living works of art. They change with the seasons, echo holidays, celebrate milestones like weddings, and evolve as their plantings grow.

Right now we’re in preparation for winter. As the landscape changes from the warm colors of autumn to the long days of browns and white blankets of snow. Our focus is all various shades of evergreen interest; including red or yellow dogwood stems. I love reflecting on what’s happening in nature within my designs, letting the season guide the creative process.

So how do I actually develop a container arrangement? It begins with gathering inspiration—photos, notes, and mood boards. From there, I dig a little deeper and collaborate with clients if they have any preferences or require deer-resistant plants. 

After collecting all this info, I start experimenting on my digital drawing tablet, sketches of watercolor or pastel-like studies of plant combinations. These sketches become visual ideas that help refine color, size, and placement before we shop for the actual plants. Once the designs are reviewed and approved, we move into installation.

Why focus so much on container arrangements at Atzinger Gardens? For me, container gardening is a wonderful way to stay connected to my art roots. They challenge me to problem-solve and explore new ideas. Gardening itself is a never-ending art process—changing and constantly teaching.

After planting up a container, I get to watch it change and evolve, each day revealing a new layer of design. That sense of transformation—that living artwork—is what keeps me inspired and a humble creative gardener. 

We hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse into Chelsea’s approach to winter container design—and that you’re feeling inspired to bring a little seasonal magic to your own space. A thoughtfully arranged container doesn’t just add curb appeal; it brings warmth, color, and life to your home all winter long.

If you’re ready to transform your entryway, patio, or garden with a custom winter container, our team would love to help. Schedule your design consultation today, and let us create a display that reflects your style and celebrates the beauty of the season.

Book your winter container appointment now — spots fill quickly as the holidays approach!