26
November | 2022
Feature
N
othing captures the spirit of the winter holiday season like fresh
winter evergreens. e beautiful fresh scents, colors and textures
of both coniferous and leafy evergreens capture the hearts of
fl oral designers and customers.
Coniferous evergreens, such as pine, fi r
and cedar, add an unmistakable holiday vibe to winter
fl ower arrangements. Mix an assortment of evergreens
to create fabulous, lush arrangements. Winter greens
bring the spirit of the season to life with wreaths and
garlands and all types of seasonal fl oral design.
According to the British history charity English Heritage,
decorations for the festive season, throughout history,
have strongly centered on the use of evergreens. "By the
late Middle Ages, almost all surviving church records include
entries for the purchase of holly and ivy in the winter," the
organization posts on its website. "For Christians, evergreens
symbolized eternal life and the promise of the return of life in the
spring. We know that private homes would also have been dressed
in greenery at this time of year. e 16th-century London historian
John Stow found an account from 1444, which explained
that in London, 'Everyman's house and also his
parish church was decked with holme, ivie,
bayes and whatever the season of the year
aff orded to be green.'"
Northwest Evergreens
e Northwest region of the U.S. has
always been known for its spectacular
winter evergreens. "Living in the Northwest is
a luxury for a fl oral designer," says Erik Witcraft,
AIFD, CFD, fl oral department manager at Zupan's
Markets in Lake Oswego, Ore. We have so many incredible
native winter greens at our fi ngertips (pitch and all) and, honestly, it's exciting
to experience the magic of our corner of the world being delivered around the
country each holiday season."
'ti
Seaso
fo
Winte
Evergreen
By Nita Robertson, AIFD, CFD
Berried juniper
Juniperus communis
