about the greenary..

Yes it does.

Greenary gives life to earth

Come late fall, Karen Russ needs only to look outside her window for decorating ideas. She’ll take eucalyptus tree leaves and rosemary stems and weave them into a bundle of foliage to shape an aromatic wreath with a fragrance that fills her entire South Carolina home with holiday spirit. “People are surprised at how they can use available plants to decorate,” says Russ, a botanist with Clemson University’s cooperative extension program. A touch of the outdoors not only fills the home with life, but it also helps create calm during a hectic season. Holiday favorites such as wreaths, swags, garlands, kissing balls and centerpieces can evolve from greenery found in the yard or at nearby garden center. Of course, many florists also prepare fresh arrangements for those who prefer to let the experts do the work. The sky is the limit for fresh decorations, says Beth Walterscheidt, president of the Missouri-based National Christmas Tree Association. Members of her group grow Christmas trees and other greenery used for the holidays. According to the group, seven out of 10 Christmas trees displayed in the United States are artificial. Still, many people insist on real foliage – with a real Christmas scent – for decorations. Nurseries can’t seem to stock enough wreaths and garland, Walterscheidt says. “Everyone likes to have fresh wreaths on their door and other greenery around their home,” she says. “That’s part of the holiday tradition.” Walterscheidt says she’s found that consumers even want to stick with traditional holiday colors when they adorn their greens. The great part about decorating with Mother Nature is that pieces don’t need to be elaborate. Holly sprigs united by a bow make for nice accent pieces. At Walterscheidt’s ranch home in Elgin, Texas, visitors may find loose twigs gingerly decorated with beads. Large garden centers and crafts stores offer workshops during the holidays on decorating with fresh greenery. Russ, who also writes consumer tip sheets for Clemson University’s Home & Garden Information Center, suggests the use of pines, firs and cedars for indoor decoration These take longer to dry. Hemlock, spruces and most broadleaf evergreens will last longer if used outdoors. Preserved leaves of ivies, mahonia, eucalyptus, boxwood, beech, camellia, oak and rhododendron work well in decorations, she notes. Keeping it fresh Fresh greenery can last from several weeks to several months, depending on the variety and how well it’s maintained. The trick to longevity is keeping moisture on the stem and foliage. Greens should be soaked as soon as they’re cut. Foliage with woody stems can be crushed to allow it to consume more water. Experts suggest soaking the greenery overnight before working with it. Don’t assume that what has been bought at nurseries or stores is already moist. Place it in a tub, as well, unless otherwise instructed. Once the greenery has been arranged, spray it regularly with an anti-transpirant that will help seal in moisture. Some brand names include Cloud Cover or Wilt-Pruf. Plants with a wax coating, such as juniper berries and blue spruce, should not be sprayed with an anti-transpirant, as its coat will damage. The latter can be misted regularly with water. Fresh greenery also is less likely to catch fire than dry one. Welcoming Wreaths Wreaths emit a sign of welcome in homes throughout the country. They can be made with sprigs of white pine, holly, hemlock, or red cedar. Mix greenery for contrast. Sprigs should be around six inches long. A wreath is shaped by a wire frame. Most wreaths for front doors measure around 24 inches. Those placed atop a mantle tend to be a bit larger, either 36 inches or 48 inches. Branches can be wired or taped on the frames, overlapping as much as possible. Fruit, pines or ribbons can be added at the end. Unadorned wreaths may be to start with; decorate one with personal touches from the garden. Wreaths can go anywhere in a home. Creative minds can even find them utilitarian. Gerald Prolman, CEO of Organic Bouquet Inc., San Francisco, makes a culinary wreath out of fresh certified-organic rosemary, thyme and natural bay leaves accented with fresh organic red chili peppers. “Not only is it a festive piece for the kitchen, but you can also pick it as you cook,” he says. Because herbs also work well dry, these wreaths have a much longer lifespan. Swags and Garland Clusters of evergreen were once thought to ward off illness and evil sprits. Today swags and garlands are used to drape a home with joy. Swags can be created with a bunch of greenery united by a rubber band or floral wire, or even a bow. Russ says the can be decorated with fruit for color and meaning. The use of pineapples signifies hospitality, for instance, while pomegranate brings in plentitude. More elaborate garland can be created from cedar, fern, fir, juniper, oak, pinewood and oak. Kissing Balls Russ says kissing balls make for fun decorations as an alternative to mistletoe sprigs. They’re made of short sprigs of boxwood or other greenery inserted into a round potato base. Insert evenly sized sprigs into the potato until it is completely covered. Decorate it with ribbons, berries or mistletoe. Hang it from a doorway or window with wire or heavy string.

it does u r right

yes i really love grenery. I think taht every one should plant trees in their locality.