How to... dress your home with foliage

Fresh and fragrant, evergreens and seasonal stems make for a sensational Christmas Scheme – our experts pick their favourite ideas

- By Jacky Parker

1 foraged finds

I like beautiful soft colours in my house I like soft colours in my house at Christmas in contrast to its industrial architecture. On the mantelpiece I’ll add a spruce garland, with texture from pine cones and teasels, which always looks stunning, and colour with dried flowers such as limonium. Talena Rolfe, head florist, JamJar Flowers

2 warm welcome

Banisters look beautiful when they are covered with trailing ivy, garlanded with soft ruscus or festooned with traditional blue pine. Even standard garlands can be embellished with scented eucalyptus, or given a wild look with asparagus fern – this can be natural or sprayed with a metallic finish to add a touch of glamour. Sue Barnes, founder, Lavender Green Flowers

3 go rogue

At Christmas, I prefer to think outside of traditional colour schemes and break the rules of flower arranging. I use chalk-based sprays to change the colour of conifer, fir or pine cones, and create an ombre effect for a kaleidoscope of hues. I love dried hydrangeas for their oversized forms. Hanging heads vertically on twine gives a modern take on a garland. Or for simplicity, drape fresh ivy over a shelf or mantelpiece. Hazel Gardiner, founder, Hazel Gardiner Design

4 wild thing