By Gayle Jenks
With the holiday season, evergreen clippings and wreaths add festivity to any space. It is necessary to take the proper steps to preserve them!
Here is what you need to know how to keep your holiday evergreens fresh.
When to Purchase:
Greenery clippings will be the freshest for approximately two weeks after cutting. After two weeks, they will start to dry out and drop needles. So plan accordingly. “Make sure the plants you are harvesting from are not drought stress. That may require you to irrigate prior to harvesting. Do not harvest the branched until you are ready to use them,” said James Miles, an Alabama Extension regional agent in commercial horticulture.
Selection
Make sure to test the evergreen clippings before you purchase. If you notice needles are already falling off or there are brown spots on the evergreen, do not select those.” If harvest to use interval is overnight or longer, recut the end and soak in bucket of water,” said Miles.
Moisture
Because these clippings will be used as decoration, it is important to lock in the moisture before they are put up. During the winter months, the clippings will not have as much moisture from humidity due to the cold climate. You can purchase anti-desiccant spray from local nurseries to treat the clippings and help lock in the moisture.
Conditioning
When you bring home your evergreen clippings, start by making small cuts along the stems. Then place the clippings in buckets of room temperature water for 2 to 3 hours before decorating with them. These cuts will allow them to absorb more water. “Hydrate the branches by soaking prior to incorporating in your arrangement. If you are using oasis foam, make sure it is saturated prior to adding the cuttings,” said Miles.
Cool, Cool, Cool
To keep fresh, evergreens like to be in the cold. Heat and humidity will make them turn brown.
Clippings placed indoors will dry out quicker than outdoor decorations because of the the heating systems. For clippings placed inside, try to avoid places that receive direct sunlight or placement close to a vent. If possible, try to turn the heat down when you leave your house.
Best Types of Evergreen for Alabama
The following is the list the Mobile Country Master Gardeners use for their greenery sale.
THE FIR AND NEEDLE GROUP:
Cryptomeria Cypresses
Junipers Pines Fir
Arborvitae cedar
Rosemary Native Palms: needle palm, saw palmetto, sago
MEDIUM TO LARGE, SHINY LEAF GROUP:
Podocarpus (yew) Magnolia
Citrus leaf branches (satsuma, lemon, kumquat)
camellia branches bay leaf branches agarista populifola (native)
Cleyera but not with new growth tips
green & variegated aspidistra (cast iron plant leaves)
Small loquat leaf branches
THE FINE TEXTURED, SMALLER LEAF GROUP:
boxwood
native holly
yaupons
wax myrtle
OTHER:
Dried blooms from hydrangea (indoor table arrangements only)
Cones
Seed pods to embellish