Natural Designs Studio

It's a winter's delight to stumble upon bright red berries emerging through a fence row.  They're the crowning jewels of any Christmas arrangement.  I prefer using wild berries in my designs.   Fresh wild berries do not drop as quickly as commercial ones.  It is imperative to wear leather gloves when clipping berries to protect against sharp thorns.  Two of my favorite wild shrubs are the Barberry and Multiflora Rose.  These plants, once promoted as wildlife cover and soil conservation,  grow freely in pasture fields and other untilled areas.  The Multiflora Rose has served as a living fence on farms and ranches since the early 1800's.  Many states designate these plants as noxious weeds due to the rapid spread of their seeds from birds.   Regardless, the beauty of finding a red berry against the white backdrop of winter is inspiring.