Transcript

Ginger Trice (UT AgResearch)
This young cypress is making a bit of a sacrifice...but its all in the name of Christmas decor.

Jason Reeves (UT AgResearch)
Winter is a good time to prune lightly. You don’t want to do a lot of heavy pruning, but waiting to Christmas is a good time, in that you can make use of the greenery.

Ginger Trice
UT horticulturalist Jason Reeves and his team make use of the greenery at the west Tennessee research and education center in Jackson to create these beautiful Christmas wreaths. While they may look expensive, Reeves says anyone can create this look, simply by taking inventory of their landscape.

Jason Reeves
Southern magnolia has a beautiful waxy leaf...holds up well in any kind of arrangement.
Leyland cypress is a good background...many people have these in their yard.
For some contrasting color the Arizona cypress is great.
Holly of course is a very traditional plant to use at Christmas.

Ginger Trice
So with no limits on greenery selection...the next step is to actually put the wreath together. This project began with a simple grapevine wreath...available at most craft stores...and a little chicken wire.

Ashley Sipes (UT student assistant)
You’re going to cut the chicken wire in 8-in wide strips and you wind it around like ribbon. This adds support to your wreath and gives you a way to weave your greenery into it.

Ginger Trice
Once the bones of the wreath are built...it’s time to let your inner artist come out.

Ashley Sipes
Just sort of weave it in and out. Now you don’t want to over think it, because you’ll be there all day. So it’s best to just start sticking it in and see how it comes out.

Ginger Trice
So with a little yard work...this Christmas you can adorn your door with a wreath that’s both economically and environmentally friendly. That’s sure to put you on Santa’s nice list.

End