Continental Floral Greens Share Their Holiday Essentials and Favorites

This season, Continental Floral Greens is highlighting a selection of its signature festive items, all grown on the company’s farms and created to be enjoyed in homes, floral studios, and holiday gatherings. Many of the designs featured in this story come from their holiday workshop with Kelly Shore and Jennifer Reed. During their time on the farm, the designers shared sustainable floristry techniques suited for working with evergreens, garlands, and wreaths – methods that align naturally with the company’s holiday products. These are some of their holiday favorites!

Designing With Garlands for the Holiday Season

Garlands are one of the most versatile tools for holiday design, elegant on their own and endlessly upgradeable.

Kelly and Jennifer, back in 2024, designing with the company's vast assortment of greenery

Here's how CFG suggests you use them:

Greenhouse Garland Installation

For the greenhouse garland installation, the designers used chicken wire to form a supportive tube-like structure. Before securing it around the doorway, they filled the wire with boxwood branches to add stability and fullness. Once the wire is shaped and anchored, they layer in greenery and florals, creating a garland with depth, movement, and reliable mechanics.

Cedar garlands by CFG — *Bright green Cedar garlands*

Barn Door Garland

For the barn door, they used Continental Floral Greens' handmade evergreen garlands as the base. By tying multiple garlands together, they built a thicker, more dramatic look. Because these garlands come in many sizes, designers can easily scale from a standard 5-meter (15-feet) length to 10 meters (30 feet) or more with just a few ties and a clear vision.

Barn garland decoration by CFG — *Christmas barn garlands*

Why Kelly and Jennifer Love Garlands

Some of their favorite holiday garlands include:

Classic Cedar Garland – iconic and fragrant
Magnolia Garland – glossy, warm, and textural
Boxwood Garland – compact, dense, and elegant

Cedar and Noble wreaths and garlands — *Cedar garlands and Noble Fir wreaths*

They also create custom garlands year-round, from Christmas evergreen designs to eucalyptus garlands for weddings and events.

Cedar and Olive garlands using CFG products

Evergreens That Make the Perfect Seasonal Foundation

Chicken wire shaped into a ball was anchored at the bottom of the vessel to create a sturdy internal structure. Evergreens naturally have strong stems, so combined with chicken wire, they provide excellent support as you build height, texture, and floral layers.

Evergreen accents by CFG — *Evergreen accents, perfect for the Christmas season*

Pro tip: always strip needles from any part of the stem that will sit below the water line. This simple step helps slow bacterial growth and dramatically extends vase life.

High Mountain Blue Noble Fir – long-lasting and beautifully silver blue
Incense Cedar – offers a graceful drape
Juniper – prized for its scent and winter berries

Evergreen base arrangements by CFG — *Evergreen base arrangements*

These staples not only provide structure but bring the unmistakable fragrance of the season.

*Christmas evergreens in Mount St Helen's farm*

Wreaths That Anchor Seasonal Decor

Sometimes, simple really is better. Their wreaths are handmade and tied by expert crews, each one the result of careful skills and time. The Noble Fir Wreath is their signature base: classic and full-bodied. You can easily upgrade wreaths with:

Ribbons
Bells
Berries
Sparkle accents
Additional greenery
Fresh florals

Beyond doors, wreaths can be styled leaning on a tabletop, placed around a hurricane candle, or used as the foundation for a holiday centerpiece. Even their smallest candle rings can be elevated with a few roses or seasonal accents for a beautiful tablescape.

Lifestyle evergreens in a house — *Lifestyle evergreens decorating a table and living room*

Evergreen Care Tips

To help your holiday greens stay fresh and lively, here are a few care best practices:

Storage – kept in a cooler, evergreens can look incredible for over a month.
Shape upon arrival – gently reshape or “fluff” your product after unpacking to restore form after transport.
Placement – keep out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources to slow drying.
For stems – give bouquet-grade evergreens a fresh cut before placing in water. Re-cut stems and change water every few days.
Hydration – spritz wreaths, garlands, and arrangements periodically to maintain moisture and extend freshness.

Workshop by CFG with greenery

These small steps go a long way in keeping your holiday greens looking farm-fresh.

Photos by CFG.

FAQ

How long do Continental Floral Greens’ garlands and wreaths typically last?

When stored properly in a cooler and kept away from direct heat, evergreens can look fresh for over a month. With proper hydration and gentle reshaping upon arrival, longevity can extend even further.

Can I customize garlands or wreaths for specific events or design needs?

Yes. Continental Floral Greens offers year-round custom garlands, including holiday evergreens and eucalyptus options for weddings, events, and studios. Wreaths can also be upgraded with ribbons, bells, berries, florals, and more.

What are the best evergreens for building strong, long-lasting holiday arrangements?

Designers love using High Mountain Blue Noble Fir, Incense Cedar, and Juniper for their durability, fragrance, and structural support—especially when paired with sustainable mechanics like chicken wire.

Do I need florist foam to build arrangements with evergreens?

No. The designers featured in the workshop use sustainable mechanics, such as chicken wire, to build height, texture, and fullness without floral foam. Evergreens’ naturally sturdy stems make them ideal for this approach.

How should I care for my evergreen wreath or garland once it's installed?

Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources, mist regularly, and—if you’re working with stems—give them a fresh cut before placing them in water. Refresh water every few days for optimal vase life.