There’s nothing like the real thing
We understand why some people love the convenience of an artificial tree, wreath or swag. You remove from storage, freshen up the misshapen boughs a bit and you’re good to go. No watering, misting or stray needles.
But we must say, we do have a soft spot for the real thing. The search for the right tree and trimmings is nostalgic and hopeful. Fresh greens fill our entryways, living rooms, bedrooms, offices and more with the smell of our childhood and the memory of our favorite Christmases. Just run your hand down an evergreen branch to release its scent. Nothing like it.
So, if you’re one of the lucky ones who experiences the real thing in your home, there are a few things you should know.
1) Condition Your Greens
This one comes as a surprise to some, maybe because they think it will harm their fresh greens by waterlogging them. But conditioning your greens in water before hanging or creating with them is an excellent and easy way to prolong their life in the dry air of winter.
You can fill your bathtub or sink with room temperature water and soak your unadorned wreaths, swags, garland and bundles for a few hours. Then shake and lightly pat dry before hanging.
For cut greens you’re using in an arrangement, you can always wet floral foam as an alternative to filling your vase with fresh water. Either way, hold your branches or boughs under water and make a fresh cut at a 45-degree angle. Then use a blunt object like the back end of your trimmer or scissors to crush the end slightly. This makes it easier for your branches to take in water.
2) Seal in Existing Moisture
Greens begin plump with freshness and moisture. But once they’re cut, they’re cut off from their source of moisture. Use an anti-desiccant (i.e. anti-drying) spray like Wilt-Pruf to seal in valuable moisture for wreaths, garlands, boughs and swags.
You can even use Wilt-Pruf for your Christmas tree. Be sure to allow the clear, all-natural coat to dry before applying lights and ornaments.
3) Avoid the Harshest Sun and Sources of Heat
If possible, place your wreaths, swags, boughs, pots and garland in spots shielded from the hottest direct afternoon sunlight as well as the dry, blowing air from heating vents or space heaters.
4) Use LED Lights
We know, people have strong opinions on LEDs. But they’ve come a long with warmer whites and plenty of colors. And did you know that LED bulbs run approximately 20% cooler than incandescent bulbs?
5) Branch Out
When you think of evergreen, you probably picture ‘Christmas tree greens.’ But when you create holiday containers, centerpieces and other arrangements, you can also work in long-lasting colored twigs and interesting berried branches clipped from your yard, young birch branches, magnolia leaves, ornamental grasses, cones, seedpods and ivy.
Mixing fresh greens with other natural materials is a beautiful way to add interest and texture. And of course you can also work in velvety ribbon, shimmering branches, ornaments and more.
6) Maximize Fragrance
We like to think of evergreen like flowers, each with its own unique scent and even better when mixed with other woodsy, delicious varieties.
You can stay monochromatic with one shade and type of evergreen, or consider mixing boughs and branches of pine, cedar, eucalyptus, balsam and juniper for a chic and scented combination.
Don’t forget to mist your boughs and branches daily for longer-lasting fragrance.
Enjoy the season! And please visit us to get in the spirit with farm-fresh Christmas trees, holiday porch pots, roping, swags and fresh evergreen bundles to build for yourself.
