Real garland, defined as fresh, natural greenery, is popular for holiday decorating, valued for its authentic aesthetic and distinct scent. Natural garlands infuse a space with rich, aromatic compounds released by evergreens, evoking the classic holiday atmosphere. This seasonal decor requires a focused approach to sourcing and care to ensure its beauty and fragrance last. Finding high-quality garland involves understanding the properties of different evergreen species and knowing which vendors prioritize freshness and longevity.
Identifying the Best Types of Natural Garland
Choosing the right evergreen is the first step, as each variety offers a unique combination of aroma, texture, and needle retention. The Fraser Fir is frequently chosen for its superior longevity indoors and its strong, classic evergreen scent. It features sturdy needles that resist shedding, making it an excellent option for high-traffic areas or for use indoors.
White Pine garland is known for its graceful, soft, long needles, giving it a less dense, wispy appearance. It has good needle retention, and its flexibility and lighter weight make it ideal for draping over mailboxes or railings. The scent is a mild, distinct pine aroma, less intense than the Fraser Fir.
Cedar and Cypress varieties, such as Western Red Cedar or Leyland Cypress, offer a feathery, elegant texture and a woodsy fragrance. These greens tend to dry out quickly, potentially becoming brittle if not consistently misted. Cedar is often blended with other greens for maximum visual texture and scent.
Sourcing Options for Fresh Garland
The source of your garland directly impacts its freshness and quality, with options ranging from local vendors to large retail chains and online suppliers. Local nurseries, florists, and Christmas tree farms are often the best places to find the highest-quality product. These vendors typically craft garlands in small batches closer to the sale date, maximizing hydration and longevity.
Shopping at a local tree farm or nursery allows for personal inspection, ensuring the garland has been properly stored in cool, shaded conditions. These businesses often carry a deeper selection of unique or mixed-greenery garlands, and the staff possesses expert knowledge regarding care. While the price may be higher, the superior freshness and personalized service often justify the cost.
Major retail and home improvement stores offer convenience and competitive pricing but present a higher risk of receiving older stock. Garlands are usually shipped in bulk and may have experienced several days of transit and indoor storage, which accelerates the drying process. A quick purchase from a big-box store requires a rigorous freshness check before buying.
Online and mail-order suppliers are a viable option, particularly for bulk orders or specialized varieties. Reputable online vendors often ship via expedited services, such as overnight delivery, to minimize the time the product spends in transit. When ordering, check the vendor’s shipping guarantees, delivery date, and customer reviews to confirm freshness upon arrival.
Ensuring Quality and Freshness
Evaluating a garland’s quality before purchasing is important to ensure the greenery lasts longer. Perform a gentle “shake test” by lightly shaking the garland to check for excessive needle loss. A fresh garland will only shed a minimal number of needles, whereas a dry one will drop a noticeable amount.
Look closely at the color of the foliage, which should be vibrant and rich, not dull, faded, or browning. The branches should be pliable, meaning they bend easily without snapping, which indicates they retain significant moisture. A stiff or brittle texture is a sign the garland is too dry to last long indoors.
A strong, natural fragrance indicates freshness, as aromatic oils diminish when the greenery dries out. Upon bringing the garland home, consider submerging it in cool water for 12 to 24 hours to rehydrate the boughs before hanging. Applying an anti-desiccant spray, a specialized product that locks moisture into the needles, can significantly slow the drying process.