Cut greens for boughs and swags

Your garden may contain all the foliage you need for holiday decorations.

Long-lasting choices include Douglas fir, evergreen magnolia, fir, holly, holly-leaf osmanthus, juniper, pine, and redwood.

When you cut greens for decorating, use sharp shears and keep proper pruning principles in mind so you don't harm or disfigure plants.

To force upward growth, cut the branch just beyond an upward-facing shoot.

To foster spreading growth, cut the branch just beyond a downward-facing shoot.