EUCALYPTUS

(Gum tree; the foliage will become crisp after a few days.)

If I could use only one type of winter foliage, it would be eucalyptus. It has a wonderful aroma and the fact that it can last without water makes it especially valuable, too.

3 bunches of Eucalyptus cinerea 1 bunch of berried eucalyptus 1 bunch of Eucalyptus pulverulenta ‘Baby Blue’ 20 stems of berried ivy 1 ready-made spruce garland base, real or artificial 15-20 dried hydrangeas String or ribbon Reel wire Medium-thick stub wires Secateurs

1| Work out how long you want your garland to be. Measure your mantelpiece or banister using the string or ribbon that will be the base of your garland; remember to allow for swags in the middle and tails on either side, and add enough extra length to make into loops to fix the garland in place.

2| Lay the string on the floor, in a line, then lay the spruce base along it. Place the foliage on top to make a foliage sausage, the fatter the better.

3| Starting at one end, use the reel wire to carefully bind the foliage to the spruce and string. The garland will look a bit stiff and solid at this stage.

4| I prefer to hang the garland in situ at this point as I find it easier to see what I am doing. Whether you fix it now or later, add pieces of loose foliage to the length of the garland until it looks full and bushy. Finally, attach the hydrangeas using stub wires, until you are happy with the final effect.