GREENERY FOR THE SEASON

GREENERY FOR THE SEASON

and holiday decorations.

Kissing Ball

Fraser Fir, White Pine, Boxwood tips, red berries and white tipped Pine Cones

Photo: Gardens of the Blue Ridge

Victoria Hammond

Former Horticultural Program Assistant

Deciding how to decorate and what materials to use can become a source of frustration during the holiday season. Who came up with decorating anyway? Greenery has been used in winter festivals since ancient times; but, it was southerners that began the tradition in the United States. During the Christmas season they decorated their churches with garlands of holly, ivy, and other greenery to represent hope and everlasting life. Mistletoe was hung from the roof, the walls, the pews, and sometimes even the altar. Homes were decorated simply with greenery and boughs in the window frames and holly sprigs stuck to the glass with wax. It wasn’t until the 1800’s that the northern states began to embrace the tradition.

Today polyester, plastic, polystyrene, and other artificial materials are used to mimic the greenery and berries so popular in decorating. Unfortunately, they not only represent everlasting life, but they can become everlasting in the landfills. Fresh greenery from the landscape, on the other hand, works beautifully, offers much variety in color, texture, and fragrance, and recycles nutrients when composted.

Some of the most popular types of conifer greenery are White pine and Virginia pine. Virginia pine is native and easy to obtain. The needles are long-lasting and have excellent retention. Junipers are fragrant; offer various textures, colors, and berries. Red cedar, a native juniper, is readily available. True cedars, such as Deodar, Blue Atlas, and Cedar-of-Lebanon also are quite fragrant but if male cones are present they can be quite messy when pollen is released due to warm room temperatures. Firs have a wonderful scent, and they tolerate hot, dry indoor conditions. Their color is good and they have excellent needle retention. Spruce have beautiful color and texture but their needle retention is poor. Arborvitae, Leyland Cypress, and Cryptomeria provide texture and various shades of green. They are also easily found in the landscape. When gathering plant materials from the landscape prune judiciously to maintain the shape of the plant and to keep it from producing new growth during the winter season.

For broadleaf evergreen foliage ivy, holly, Mountain Laurel, boxwood, and magnolia are easily obtained options. Ivy needs to have the cut ends in water. Holly works well unless it freezes. Mountain Laurel is best used in outside decorations. Boxwood is aromatic but not everyone finds its scent appealing. Magnolia will maintain its beauty for quite sometime, even without water.

White pine, Frasier fir, and Mountain Laurel garland

Photo: Gardens of the Blue Ridge

Some other types of greenery that make stunning decorations when used are as follows: Skimmia with its wonderful foliage and either berries (on female plant) or florets (on male plant); Pittosporum with lovely variegated foliage; Podocarpus or Yew for interesting texture; and Nandina or Loropetalum to add color interest.

Mahonia, rhododendron, and viburnum are other plants to try. Barberry and plants with interesting twig shapes add beauty and interest when decorating. Rosemary and Bay leaves are herbs to consider for fragrance. Nuts, cones, berries, pods, dried grasses and anything else that looks fanciful can be incorporated. One thing to remember though, anything to be brought inside should be checked for insects and other unwelcome pests.

Ways to keep greenery fresh:

Cut branches with sharp cutters, and immediately place ends in water.
Crush the ends of woody stems to allow the most water to be taken up.
Keep greenery in a cool place, out of direct sunlight.
Immerse greenery in water overnight before arranging.
Allow the foliage to dry and spray with an anti-transpirant, such as Wilt-pruf, to seal in moisture, Note: Do not use anti-transpirants on juniper berries, cedar, or blue spruce. The product can damage the wax coating that gives these plants their distinctive color.
Replace greenery and fruits throughout the holiday season it needed.
When purchasing, always buy the freshest greenery possible.
Mist greenery daily when possible.

The possible decorating uses of greenery for the holidays are numerous. Some suggestions, with website references, are listed below.

Cedar Rosette Wreath – made from Deodara cedar tree cones

Rabbit Tobacco Wreath – (narrow cudweed) found along rural roadsides

Magnolia Wreath – glycerize the magnolia leaves

Corn Shuck Wreath – using ornamental corn shucks adds color variety

Pine Cone Wreath – easily found, smaller cones are easiest to work with

Evergreen Wreath – combine different types for texture and interest

Clemson Extension website- pub. EC696 “Making Wreaths”

Kissing Ball – made with short sprigs of greenery and hung in place of mistletoe

Clemson Extension website – HGIC 1753

Holiday Swag – an artistic bunching of one or more evergreen branches

Festoon or Roping – bound as a wreath, only attached to a cord not a frame

Purdue University Coorperative Extension website – pub. HO-22-W

Potted Swag – attach to a gate or fence

Ladies Home Journal

Table Centerpiece – keep the greenery below eye level and the candles 15”-18”

Purdue University Cooperative Extension website – pub HO-22-W

Topiary Tidings – various forms and greenery decorated w/without ornaments

Ladies Home Journal

Garland/Wreaths/Ornaments for the birds – decorations for bird feeding

GardenGuides.com

Info Sources:

Clemson Extension – http://hgic.clemson.edu

Purdue University Extension - www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/HO-22.pdf

Ladies Home Journal- Potted Swag http://www.lhj.com/lhj/story.jhtml?storyid=/templatedata/bhg/story/data/12523.xml&cate

Ladies Home Journal- Topiary Tidings

http://www.lhj.com/lhj/story.jhtml?storyid=/templatedata/bhg/story/data/12523.xml&cate

GardenGuides.com - www.gardenguides.com/articles/christmasbirds.htm

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