How long does real garland last

Other popular choices include magnolia, ivy, olive leaf, ruscus, salal, smilax, sprengeri, tree fern and plumosa. Keep the garlands in the box and store them in a cool dry place, away from direct sunlight, drafts or excessive heat. As long as they are in a cool place, there is no need to store them in the refrigerator. Pine, fir, and cedar branches and wreaths last the longest. Keep your branches and wreaths outside until needed.

When using branches, cut or crush the stems. Then, place the stems or even better the whole branch in a bucket of water over night. Leave the evergreen branches on the nail to dry for three weeks.

Take the bunches down and spray the branches and needles with hairspray. The hairspray provides a protective coating for the foliage and helps keep the parts intact. When hanging a fresh wreath outside your home, Hunter says to keep them out of direct sunlight, which can cause them to dry and brown faster.

Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A mix of pine, cedar, eucalyptus, balsam, and juniper will result in a uniquely wintry scent.

A daily misting of water will help keep evergreens smelling fresh. From the traditional favorites to lesser-known beauties, here are 19 varieties with information on where they grow and how to use them. On the following slides, you'll find this glossary image divided into four quadrants.

Pictured from top left, clockwise: Eastern juniper is especially good for use in outdoor garlands as it won't survive long indoors—heat makes its needles turn brittle. It's commonly found in the eastern United States and the Rockies.

White pine is used for outdoor swags, garlands, and arrangements, though its soft branches can't support heavy ornaments. It's available nationwide. Blue spruce is good for outdoor garlands and wreaths. Take care when hanging ornaments, as the needles are sharp. It's common in the Midwest and the Northeast. Redwood dries out quickly, but is favored for cut arrangements and outdoor displays. It's found out West. Burford holly is less prickly than English holly; this type is also nice in cut arrangements, as well as garlands and wreaths.

It lasts up to a week indoors, available throughout the South. Eucalyptus dries quickly yet makes attractive, scented cut arrangements and outdoor garlands.

It's mostly found in Western coastal areas. Pictured from top left, clockwise: English holly is a prickly holiday standard that's ideal for use in garlands and wreaths. It lasts up to one week indoors, longer in cut arrangements. It's non-variegated; available nationwide. Fraser fir is a favorite cut tree; also a popular choice for garlands. It's common east of the Mississippi River. Black pine has graceful, long-needled branches that are dramatic in outdoor garlands and cut arrangements.

It's limited to parts of the Eastern Seaboard. Pictured from top left, clockwise: English holly is popular in cut arrangements, garlands, and wreaths. It lasts up to one week indoors. It's variegated; available nationwide. Boxwood is a lush addition to cut arrangements; ideal for decorating indoors and out.

White cedar is best in garlands, swags, and wreaths hung outdoors. It's limited to northern New England. Magnolia is used in arrangements, as well as in garlands and wreaths, indoors and out; it can be gilded. Fresh sprigs tend to dry out especially quick when brought inside our cozy, warm houses, with that unforgiving dry air this time of year.

Just ask my skin! So what can we do to slow the drying process and help our garlands look less wilty throughout the season?

Here are my best defenses against dead-looking garlands:. Essentially, give your greenery a long, cold bath. Put the garland in the tub and fill with enough water to cover the greens. Let soak for hours. After giving your greenery a bath see tip 1 , use an anti-wilting, plant protector spray, like Wilt Stop or Wilt Pruf.