interiors
evergreen ideas T
Top tips from the National Trust on creating Christmas arrangements
ake a leaf out of the experts’ books! When decorating
the home for Christmas with fresh foliage, many people think of using just the traditional favourites of holly and ivy.
But the professionals at the National Trust who are currently busy decorating the massive showrooms of the trust’s stately properties, point out that there are many other evergreens that make delightful compositions: laurel (very glossy), yew, evergreen oak, and winter flowering shrubs such as Vibernum tinus with its star-shaped white flowers and small blue-black fruits. Popular variegated garden shrub Euonymus with its dark leaves and white/pink stripes also looks fabulous and use the smaller branches you trim off your Christmas tree for a fragrant pine aroma, too.
wonderhome Affordable, quality extensions
They also suggest you add stunning splashes of colour with holly berries, rose hips, or the densely-packed fiery red fruits and foliage of Pyrancantha. Cotoneaster, too, is an excellent choice, as its slim berry-laden branches are very pliable, and easy to work with.
Be bold, say the experts! Experiment with the different leaves and flowers in your garden. Don’t just dress your front door, but think about placing arrangements on window sills, mantelpieces, dining room tables and the backs of chairs. By tying stems onto twine or rope using florist’s wire, you can decorate your staircase too, which will look terrific. Happy Christmas decorating! t&l
Many National Trust properties such as Ham House in Richmond are open in December, and offer beautiful locations for festive entertainment
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
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24 . december 2011 .
timeandleisure.co.uk
MAKE A WREATH
National Trust’s step by step guide at
www.timeandleisure
.co.uk/wreaths
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