The ingredients required to create containers with pizzazz come from a variety of sources. Winter's Wow has dedicated years toward locating the best of materials from fresh floral growers, excellent preservers, and interesting dried pod and cone importers. We also harvest and preserve boughs, princess pine, cones and twigs from the north woods of Wisconsin. Luckily, we are able to follow foresters who have no need for the boughs.

Our years of procurement experience taught us a great deal. Methods of preserving foliage, floral, and boughs vary by company. There are three primary methods of preservation:

1. Emersion - the material is immersed in a glycerin/dye mixture at 180 degrees for a length of time before it is dried.
2. Systemic - the material is cut and stems are promptly placed in a glycerin/dye mixture for days as the glycerin replaces the normal moisture within the plant.
3. Drying - the material is cut and hung in a dark, well-ventilated area until the moisture has escaped and there is no threat of mold or mildew.

There is no particular method of preservation that is superior. There are however, methods that are superior for certain items. Emersion is less expensive than systemic because it requires hours vs. days. You will often see immersed and dry offerings at local craft stores. The look can be garish due to unnatural dye colors and many materials do not hold up to snow and ice. Boughs which are immersed lose their natural look. Brown stems become green. Systemically preserved materials have a longer life as the glycerin is not merely coating the bough, foliage, or flower, the glycerin is within the stem, needles, leaves and petals. A combination of systemic and immersion methods are required for some items.

There are a number of fresh floral items which look great in winter. Magnolia leaves, rose hips, china berries to name a few. We have had experience with numerous berries and foliages. Some berries such as winter berry or Ilex look great until the temperatures drop below 0 degrees after which they turn black. Not such a great look! Within the fresh floral offerings, we have located the best of the best. Our rose hips are huge and gorgeous. The pepper berries last multiple years! We have many sources throughout the U.S. and abroad coming together to deliver truly consistent WOW!

This is a lot of information, but what does it mean to you? MUCH better looks right at the start, a much more stunning appearance throughout the season, and many items which may be re-used the following year. We want you to experience the same excitement we have been delivering here in the north woods. People loveit!