Types of greenery
Many different kinds of greenery can be used for holiday decorations. Pines, firs and cedars work well indoors because they dry out slowly and hold their needles best at warm interior temperatures. They may last for several weeks if properly treated and cared for. Spraying holiday greenery with an anti-transpirant, for example, will help preserve it. Anti-transpirants reduce the amount of transpiration, or water loss from plant leaves, and are available from garden centers, hardware stores and can sometimes be found at Christmas tree lots. Hemlock, spruces and most broadleaf evergreens will last longer if used outdoors.
Here are some suggested varieties to use in holiday decorating:
Boxwood: This small-leafed shrub is a longtime favorite for fine-textured wreaths and garland. It has an aroma that is either loved or hated, so be sure of your reaction before bringing it indoors!
Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana): This native juniper (at right) may have a grey or blue cast with a slight bronzing of the tips in the winter. Avoid spraying with anti-transpirant — which help keep foliage from drying out too quickly —because it tends to darken the foliage. The branches have a wonderful cedar scent and produce an abundance of light blue berries.
Firs: All firs have wonderful scent and good tolerance of hot, dry indoor conditions. The needles are short and flat with excellent color and needle retention. Fraser fir wreaths and swags are commonly available from commercial sources.
Florida-anise tree (Illicium floridanum): This often under-appreciated shrub is great when used as a holiday decoration because of its aromatic foliage. The plant’s unusual greenery may need a little more care to remain fresh, so it is helpful to provide moisture to the stems after cutting to keep them looking their best.
Holly: This most traditional holiday greenery comes in several forms, both green and variegated. Female plants display bright red berries. Make sure that holly does not freeze after cutting, or the leaves and berries may blacken.
Ivy: This vigorous vine is readily available in many yards. It makes an excellent green for holiday arrangements and is especially effective in raised containers from which the vines can tumble over the edges. The cut ends must be kept in water, though, or the leaves will quickly wilt.
Junipers: The fragrant, short, green or silver-blue foliage frequently has the added attraction of small blue berries. The needles are often sticky.
Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia): The state flower of Pennsylvania, mountain laurel is a traditional favorite for wreaths and garlands in the areas where it grows naturally. As with other broad-leaved evergreens, however, laurel holds up best when used outdoors.
White pine: (Pinus storbus): The soft, bluish-green, long needles are beautiful in their own right, but the cones the plant produces add an extra element of interest. The foliage is often wired into roping to hang indoors and outdoors. Use restraint, however, when applying anti-transpirant to pines because it can cause the delicate needles to stick together.
Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora): The large leaves are a glossy, dark green that contrast well with the velvety, brown undersides. Magnolia leaves make stunning wreaths and bases for large decorations. The leaves hold up very well even without water. Avoid spraying anti-transpirant on the undersides of the leaves because it will ruin the beautiful fuzzy texture.
Spruce: Wreaths are the main use for spruce greens. The branches are stiff with short, sharp needles. Blue spruce is especially attractive because of its color, and it holds its needles better than other spruces. Needle retention is poorer on spruce than on other conifers. It also produces cones that can be used to embellish decorations. The foliage can be wired into roping to hang indoors and outdoors. Use restraint when applying anti-transpirant because it can cause the delicate needles to stick together.
True cedars: Deodar cedar, blue Atlas cedar, and cedar-of-Lebanon all have a wonderful fragrance. If small male cones are present, spray them with lacquer or acrylic to prevent the messy release of pollen that will occur at room temperature.
Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana): This native pine has shorter, coarser needles than white pine, and is long-lasting with excellent needle retention.
Some other excellent evergreens that can be used for holiday greenery include:
- Arborvitae
- Ligustrum
- Pittosporum
- Podocarpus
- Viburnum
- Cypress
- Nandina
- Japanese cedar
- Hemlock
In addition to commonly used evergreens and unusual plants from your own garden, sprays of berries, dried flowers, cones and seed pods add color and contrasting texture to holiday decorations. How you use these is limited only by your imagination and creativity. The possibilities include:
Acorns
- Bittersweet
- Holly berries
- Hydrangea blossoms
- Lotus seed pods
- Magnolia pods
- Mistletoe
- Nandina berries
- Pecans
- Pine cones (at right)
- Pyracantha
- Reindeer moss
- Rose hips
- Sweet gum balls
- Wax myrtle berries
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