How to Make Evergreen Swags

This holiday season, consider making your decorations from the lovely evergreens you have in your backyard. Every plant used in this tutorial is either native or Florida-Friendly. Since the plants you have may be different varieties from these, this tutorial is meant to serve as inspiration for your own creations.

Plants Used

• Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
• Coontie (Zamia integrifolia)
• Goldenrod (Solidago leavenworthii)
• Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)
• Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla)
• Pennisetum 'Princess Caroline' Grass
• Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus)
• Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
• Red Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum')
• Sabal Palm (Sabal palmetto)

Swag One: Beautyberry

Step 1. Lay out three Norfolk Island pine branches.

Step 2. Add two red cedar boughs.

Step 3. Layer a sprig of red cedar cones in between the boughs.

Step 4. Add two twigs of beautyberry fruit.

Step 5. Finish your swag with a bow of raffia or ribbon, and then hang in your desired location.

Swag Two: Princess Caroline

Step 1. Lay out three Norfolk Island pine branches.

Step 2. Layer a large clipping of Princess Caroline grass on top.

Step 3. Top the swag with a small sprig of pine (we used our local Loblolly pine) and a spray of goldenrod.

Step 4. Complete your swag with a raffia or ribbon bow.

Step 5. Hang your lovely creation.

Swag Three: Persian Shield

Step 1. Start with two Coontie branches. We stripped the leaves from one side of each to help them lay flat.

Step 2. Add a frond of Sabal palmetto.

Step 3. Layer a flowery stem from red fountain grass atop a clipping of Princess Caroline grass.

Step 4. Finish your swag with a sprig of Persian shield leaves.

Step 5. Tie your swag together with raffia or ribbon and hang.

More at Flickr

You can see the full tutorial in photographs in our Flickr album.