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OTHER FOLIAGE TYPESThe English Home team offers more adviceUsing evergreens as winter decoration extends tothe time when our ancestors marvelled at theability of these plants to remain green over thewinter and so endowed them with magicalproperties. Today we are more prosaic, but we stilladmire the lustre of a perfect holly branch with itsglossy, dark leaves punctuated by bright scarletberries, and are grateful for ivy’s abundance.Foraging for evergreens under a clear winter skyis one of those pre-Christmas indulgences, whenwe are free from thoughts of presents and canapés.Whilst holly and ivy are wonderful for providinga finishing touch to decorations, our gardens arefull of evergreens equally suited to festive schemes.``````EuonymusThe genus offers a rangeof species with variegatedleaves, especiallybeautiful are those tingedwith pink at the margins.Mahonia japonicaLook for stems where theleaves are turning red.Eucalyptus parvulaWith fragrant, blue-green, narrow leavesdrooping, to 6cm inlength, these stemscontrast well with many ‘stiff’ winter staples.Skimmia japonica ‘Nymans’ The 10-12cm ellipticdark leaves are fabulous in large wreaths.Sarcococca confusa (sweet box)These dark green, shiny leaves arranged onupright, arched stems are invaluable in a formaldisplay of floral delights.Laurus nobilis (bay tree)Perfect for a tactile, natural table centrepiece.``````Whichever plants are used, cut at an oblique angleand pop in a bucket of cold water for a few hoursbefore arranging. And, of course, do not forgetthe mistletoe if fortunate enough to have somegrowing within reach. n### THE ENGLISH HOME 123TEH UK DEC15 Traditional adornments.indd 123 14/10/2015 14:47