There's nothing like the aroma and beauty of fresh greenery during the holidays. Seasonal greenery provides a backdrop for holiday decorations and can be embellished as little or as much as you like. Living greenery can add festive cheer to virtually every space inside the house and out. Place greenery on walls, tables, mantels, the hearth, on the floor, and on chandeliers. Heap them in vases, garland your doorways, banisters, mirrors, or even place in a pretty mug on the kitchen counter. Decorate outdoors with fresh greenery on shutters, gates, on and over doorways, columns, mailboxes and light posts. There are plenty of ways to use fresh greenery for the holidays. Just use your imagination and have a little fun! Below are some suggested varieties to use in your holiday decorating:
White Pine – Nope, it's not white ~ but a soft, bluish-green, long-needled pine that has excellent needle retention. A popular decorating choice for wreath swags and garland.
Juniper – Fragrant, short, green or silver-blue needles that usually include small blue berries. Perfect for accenting wreaths and garlands or any holiday centerpieces.
Holly – A classic holiday green available several forms, green or variegated. Female plants display bright red berries.
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.
Magnolia – Consider using Magnolia for decorating. It boasts large, glossy leaves, with dark green that contrast well with the velvety, brown undersides. Magnolia leaves make stunning wreaths and bases for large decorations. The leaves hold up well even without water. Try spray painting them with gold or silver for a more formal look.
TIP: Some other excellent evergreens that can be used for holiday greenery include Arborvitae, Ligustrum, Pittosporum, Podocarpus, Viburnum, Nandina and Leyland Cypress.