How to Make Garland out of Evergreens in the Yard

Make your own garland from fresh evergreens.

Create your own garland to decorate your holiday home out of evergreens growing in the yard. Magnolia leaves, holly branches, fir tips and juniper branches make festive garland for the staircase, the mantel or doorways. Incorporate silk flower blossoms, floral picks, ribbon, pine cones or holly berries along the length of the garland to enhance the design. To make a 6-foot-long garland, you'll need around 300 magnolia leaves. The number of evergreen branches required will vary based on the length and fullness of each branch.

Things You'll Need

• Evergreen material
• Pruning shears
• Floral wire
• Wire cutters
• Twine
• Scissors
• Floral tape
• Embellishments

Instructions

1. Prune the evergreen stems to remove any dead material. Prepare enough evergreen stems to make the desired length of your garland.

2. Arrange three magnolia leaves in a fan formation with the stems overlapping. Cut 4 to 6 inches of floral wire and wrap it around the stems to join the three together. Make magnolia leaf sets to fill in the length of your garland.

3. Cut a strand of twine 8 inches longer than the desired length of the garland. Make a 4-inch loop on each end of the twine strand. Secure each loop with floral tape. The loops will make it easier to hang the garland.

4. Cut at least one 5-inch-long section of floral wire for every piece of evergreen material that you prepared for your garland. Place one evergreen branch or one cluster of magnolia leaves one top of one end of the twine strand. Position the stem to the inside of the twine strand with the tip of the evergreen material covering the loop.

5. Wrap the floral wire around the stem and the twine to attach them together. Wrap heavier branches with several wires spaced along the branch to hold them to the twine. Cut additional wires as needed.

6. Layer another evergreen branch or leaf cluster on top of the twine so that the tip of the evergreen overlaps the stem on the first piece. Wire the stems and the branches to the twine. Continue wiring evergreens to the twine for the length of the strand. Always overlap the material to hide the stems. Place the material close together to make a full garland.

7. Attach embellishments such as magnolia blossoms, poinsettia flowers, pine cones and ribbon bows along the length of your garland. Tie a piece of twine to the stems and then tie the twine to the garland. You can also use floral wire, floral tape and hot glue to attach the embellishments.

Tips & Warnings

• Spray the evergreens with water daily to help them stay fresh longer.

References

• Making Floral Garlands

Resources

• Old Fashioned Holidays: History of Christmas Decorations