EVERGREEN
Few decorations are as quintessential as evergreens during the holiday season. They’re not only a staple trimming but also a trademark scent this time of year. With the knowledge of where to find the freshest conifers and non-traditional branches, how to best care for their longevity, and the most creative ways to display them, you can confidently bring the outdoors in!
Where to Find
You can find an abundance of garlands and swags at your local Christmas tree farm. However, they are usually quite expensive. Online retailers, such as Lynch Creek Farm, conveniently deliver fresh cuts of garland directly to your door. Another great source for affordable holiday greenery is your local farmers’ market.
Lynch Creek Farm www.lynchcreekwreaths.com
Foliage Care
Start with the newest cuts. The freshness of the foliage can be determined by smell and touch. Select greens with a heavy aroma and sticky quality, not those that are brittle and scentless. Once you have your arrangements in place, spritz them with anti-desiccant spray—it helps preserve live greenery by locking in the moisture.
Favorite Varieties
Blue Spruce
Good for outdoors. The cool blue hue is to die for, but their needles can be sharp. Mostly available in the Midwest and Northeast.
Cedar
The branches are full of natural oil, which preserves them for a long time indoors and makes them great for draping.
Olive
These dainty leaves curl as they dry and create interesting textures. Note that they do dry out relatively fast.
Magnolia
Their brown and gold leaves bring in gorgeous earthy tones. Extremely hardy and can last up to four years. Best used on mantels, staircases, or tabletop arrangements.
Juniper
They have a sweet scent, rich greenery, and bright blue berries and tend to be prickly. Best used on staircases and wreaths.
Long Needle Pine
Long-lasting with a gorgeous light-green hue. A little goes a long way. An easy pick for traditional yet showstopping quality.
How to Use
If you’re in need of a little inspiration, try these four ways to add a little green to your holiday home décor. Centerpieces, gallery walls, staircases, and fireplaces serve as the backdrop for much of your seasonal festivities, and are a surefire way to be sure your evergreens are seen. Experiment with the most impactful places to sprinkle fresh foliage in every room.
Centerpiece
Source Unsplash
Photographer Caroline Hernandez
Let your greens steal the show! With the right centerpieces, your table will always be ready to go in the event of an impromptu holiday gathering. Adapt your layout depending on how much greenery you have. Lay branches directly on the table or prop them up in bud vases. Sprinkle in votive candles. No water needed!
Gallery Wall
Source Accent Décor
Go unconventional and add a variety of wreaths and sprigs to any wall to give it a completely unique feel. Adding festive ribbon to the mix will incorporate a fun dash of elegance. If you want to take your décor to the next level, use your existing accessories and wall adornments and include them in the arrangement.
Fireplace
Source Unsplash
Photographer Genevie Rusnac
Draping garland over the mantle or hanging a wreath above the fireplace are great ways to use fresh cuts. You can even try something different by adorning your mantle with fresh, upright sprigs. Give each its own vase, and without much effort, you will have created a noninvasive, elegant, minimalist focal point.
Erin Melkonian
Interiors Editor
Erin runs a collaborative design firm, EMID Design Group, specializing in healthcare, hospitality, and residential interior design, in Fresno, California. Seeing the world through an artistic lens has allowed Erin to experiment in a number of different styles. Everything she does with a space is deliberate. Every piece has a purpose and has been thought about, from color, to position, to scale in order to create the most unique and personal spaces for her clients.
