How To Decorate With Holly At Christmas

A fresh holly wreath dotted with bright red berries is a traditional way to decorate for Christmas. While I love to play with all sorts of different greens (as well as the whites, golds, yellows, dejection, and reds) for my holiday decorations, the 20ft tall holly tree that adorns the entrance of my urban garden explodes with berries that beg to be used in festive arrangements. The leaves may exist a bit prickly but they are worth a few bandages for the final result of this like shooting fish in a barrel-to-brand fresh holly wreath.

When yous think of holly you undoubtedly will associate it with Christmas. If you accept one on your belongings yous may also think "Ouch!" and "Ugh!", the ii sentiments I utter when a) getting stabbed by the leaves and b) when I have to clean up the leaves that only won't compost and pluck out all the volunteers effectually the garden. Despite how y'all feel about the prickles, it's hard not to appreciate the beauty of the glossy green leaves and perfect red berries.

Before yous get started cutting evergreens from your garden, delight have a quick read of my pruning basics article. While I'thousand all for decorating with fresh cuttings from the garden, it is important to care for the wellness of your trees and shrub' wellness.

How to Make a Fresh Holly Wreath

To make this wreath I took some clippings from the big tree that borders my new garden and the neighboring accolade. Using the holly, laurel leaves, and a grapevine wreath class, this traditional striking wreath can be made in under 30 minutes.

Materials

Grapevine wreath
Laurel branches
Twine
Pair of scissors
Holly branches
Pruners

Directions

Starting time your wreath by gathering a agglomeration of laurel branches. Add together one holly branch with lots of berries to the acme and trim the lesser of the bunch.

Wind twine around the base of operations of the bunch and then around the grapevine wreath. Secure the agglomeration past tying the twine in a knot, only exercise not cut the end.

Go along by making more bunches like the start one and winding them onto the grapevine wreath with twine.

When you come to the end of the wreath, tuck the concluding agglomeration under the tops of the leaves of the first agglomeration then wrestle with the twine and the pointy leaves until you take that last agglomeration secured. Tie information technology in a few knots to ensure that everything stays in place.

Now have a quick await at the wreath. Are at that place whatever unruly $.25? Employ your pruners to shape the wreath and tame down some of the wild branches.

Hang your wreath up and have a proficient await at it. Is there more trimming to be done? Are there more than berries needed or is there a blank spot? Taking fourth dimension to make these adjustments volition make the virtually refined wreath.

Finally, hang your wreath where you are sure to relish it about or to create a festive welcome to your guests.

For more than inspiration on making fresh wreaths, check out this collection of my wreaths over the years using hydrangeas, lavender, evergreens, eucalyptus, hops, air plants, succulents, and more!