How to make a snowflake ornament
Best Christmas trees
THE WEST'S BEST GREENS
Some of the most beautiful conifers that supply branches for holiday decorating are native to the West's northern forests (firs, spruces, some pines). Others grow naturally in deserts (Arizona cypress) or in misty coastal areas (Monterey pine). A few come from distant places like Africa (Atlas cedar). Among our favorites, native or otherwise, are those listed below; all yield long-lasting greenery that could be used for the decorating ideas we provide.
You can buy mixed greens by the bunch at nurseries or cut sprigs from your own trees. Just remember to follow good pruning practices to preserve your tree's shape.
Arizona cypress ( Cupressus arizonica)
Native to central Arizona, this upright to pyramidal tree has scalelike branchlets that vary from green to blue-gray to silver, depending on variety.
Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica)
Tufted clusters of short, bluish green needles are arranged along graceful branches on an upright, pyramidal tree.
Fir
While not a true fir, Douglas fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii) is much loved as a Christmas tree for its soft, deep green or blue-green needles, which are sweetly fragrant when crushed. True firs to consider for decorating include noble fir ( Abies procera), a popular living Christmas tree with short, stiff branches and blue-green, 1-inch-long needles; silver fir ( A. amabilis), whose dark green needles are silvery on the undersides; and white fir ( A. concolor), with bluish green, 1- to 2-inch-long needles.Juniper
Its scaly, rough-textured leaves are very long-lasting in water. For cuttings, we especially like Juniperus chinensis 'Mint Julep', a vaselike shrub with arching branches.
Pine
Many types make attractive, long-lasting cuttings. Monterey pine ( Pinus radiata) has 3- to 7-inch-long bright green needles on reddish brown branches.
Spruce
Native to the West, Colorado spruce ( Picea pungens) has stiff, irregular branches with prickly needles that vary from dark green to steely blue.
HOLIDAY DECORATING
Thomas J. Story | The mantel
Vases of varying heights contain conifer sprigs sitting in an inch of water. Strips of inch-wide paper ribbon (secured with double-sided tape) wrap the cylinders and serve as plant labels. White votives add soft lighting behind.
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Thomas J. Story | The entry
Packaged bunches of white pine, Douglas fir, and cedar from a nursery combine in a vintage florist's bucket coated with flat blue acrylic paint. Spiky New Zealand flax leaves and beauty-berries ( Callicarpa) add a punch of color.
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Thomas J. Story | The table
Champagne flutes and evergreen sprigs form a centerpiece when interspersed with forest green tea lights in clear votive holders. Prunings from some junipers stay fresh for a month or more in water. Other short-needled conifers for this use include Arizona cypress, Atlas cedar, Douglas fir, and noble fir.
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Thomas J. Story | The window
Add the perfect backdrop to your evergreen ornaments (secured to window frames with pushpins) by giving windows an iced look — even if you don't live in a frosty climate. Just coat windows with a holiday decorating spray that's easy to clean off with water.
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Thomas J. Story | The wall
Where space is tight for a Christmas tree, mount a shapely pine branch on the wall instead. Attach picture hooks to the wall, then use flax-colored twine from a craft store to secure the branch to the hooks. Start with more twine than needed and adjust the branch to the desired height. Then decorate the branch with ornaments using ribbon ties and wire hooks.
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Resources: Table Handblown Edge flutes ($10 each) and chunky 3-inch-diameter disk candle-holders ($1 each) from Crate and Barrel (800/
996-9960). Window Crystal Frost by Design Master ($2.55; available through Springhill Floral Supply, 800/773-2554).
More: Beautiful wreaths and garlands »
