EUCALYPTUS
This should be on your list if you want to learn how to make a Christmas wreath using foliage. Not only is it beautifully aromatic, but sprays of silver-blue eucalyptus gunnii add a contemporary look.
BAY
The glossy, edible green leaves will add depth to a Christmas garland. A popular evergreen shrub which can be grown as a container gardening idea, or it could be shaped into topiary with a rounded top. It needs full sun or partial shade to thrive, but it is an easy plant to grow.
ROSEMARY
Fresh herbs make ideal plants for Christmas foliage, but choose woody, evergreen ones for a lasting display. Rosemary is one of the most aromatic herbs to grow in your garden as it's a real trooper, an evergreen perennial which keeps going year-round.
HOLLY
The best holly for a garland is English holly (Ilex aquifolium) with its glossy green leaves and shiny scarlet berries. However when choosing a holly species to grow in your garden it's important to note that for some holly to produce berries, a male and a female plant is needed for pollination, and only the female ones will bear fruit. Check the label for a small ‘f’ after the plant name when purchasing.
IVY
It’s seen by some as an invasive plant, but evergreen ivy (Hedera) can provide interest in the garden all year round, plus plenty of curling, twisty fronds and interesting flower heads and berries, to add to a festive wreath.
MYRTLE
This fragrant evergreen shrub (also known as Myrtus communis) has neat, glossy green leaves. A Christmas wreath that smells as good as it looks makes sense for the interior of your home. Adding myrtle to the mix will create a deliciously spicy scent.
NORDMANN FIR
With no-drop needles and a warm, pine scent, this is a tall but slow-growing tree, with foliage that makes a classic festive statement. It needs neutral to acid soil, and a sunny, sheltered spot.
It is not a tree for small gardens, given it will grow at least 40ft tall over 20 years. The size will be controlled if it is grown in a container. Pot-grown trees may only last for a few years, however.
LAWSON’S CYPRESS
The feathery, fan-shaped foliage of this evergreen tree makes a particularly attractive addition to a wreath. It has a pretty blue/green tinge which should be mingled with dark green leaves and red berries.
Often used as a hedging plant, as well as a standalone tree, it is fast growing and tops 40ft tall at full-height, so it does need to be carefully pruned at least twice a year and is unsuitable for smaller plots.