How to make a Christmas garland from evergreen foliage

Last Updated on October 19, 2026 by Thompson & Morgan Horticultural Team

Creating a beautiful Christmas garland for a staircase depends far more on having a plentiful supply of foliage than it does on artistic talent. Before you begin, take a walk around your garden to see what evergreen greenery you have available. As a rule of thumb, you’ll need enough foliage to generously cover at least double the length of your handrail or banister.

Here are the evergreen shrubs I grow for DIY Christmas decorations, and a step-by-step guide to making a garland…

1. Choose and harvest your garden foliage

The best garlands have two layers of foliage: a lush base of conifers, followed by a layer of accent foliage like holly and ivy on top.

The base layer

Conifers make a great base layer for your garland. Start by cutting pieces of conifer about 30–40 cm long, adjusting for the size and scale of your staircase.

I build this into my annual garden maintenance routine. If you leave a section of your conifers unpruned earlier in the year, you’ll have an abundance of fresh branches ready for December cutting.

The accent foliage

Once you have a thick, green base layer for your garland, think about choosing complementary evergreens to lay on top. I like:

• Holly & variegated ivy: I usually add holly alongside two or three different types of ivy, including variegated varieties, to bring contrasting texture, colour, and natural interest.
• Other garden evergreens: Over the years, I’ve experimented with Euonymus, laurel, Aucuba, Clematis armandii, and Viburnum tinus.

“Longevity Note: While larger leaves look striking initially, they don’t hold up over time as well as conifer and holly, and may require replacing before the festive season ends. Experiment to see what thrives best in your home.”

2. Set up the backbone wire

You’ll need a long piece of heavy-duty wire to form the backbone of the whole structure.

• Anchor the main wire: Cut a long piece of heavy-duty craft or garden wire and fix it firmly at the top and bottom of your staircase banister to form the structural backbone of the garland.
• Secure key points: If you have a spindled staircase like me, anchor this main wire at several intervals using smaller wire ties for added stability.

3. Attach your greenery to the wire

• The conifer base: Hang your conifer clippings vertically from the main wire for a lush, full, and luxurious look. Attaching them horizontally uses less foliage, but creates a thinner effect. The best way is to wrap fine horticultural wire tightly around small bunches of conifer stems and then attach to the main wire to secure them in place.
• The holly layer: Lay your holly stems horizontally over the main wire, securing them tightly.
• The Ivy & Finishing Greenery: Add a third layer using mixed ivies, which are fantastic for disguising any bare spots or wire joins. Weave the ivy stems horizontally, vertically, or in a natural combination of both.

“Time-Saving Tip: Cut your initial binding wire pieces for the conifer layer extra long. Then use the excess wire ends to secure your subsequent layers of foliage, saving time as you build up the garland.”

4. Add the finishing touches

Step back periodically to assess the overall shape and density, filling in any thin patches with spare sprigs. Once your garland is lush and full, add final decorative accents like:

• Festive lighting: I usually add a string of white battery-operated lights.
• Traditional accents: Over the years I’ve tried a variety of additional things like velvet ribbons, festive bows, tinsel, or silken rope.

A DIY Christmas garland brings natural beauty and festive warmth into your home at virtually no cost. Have a very happy, home-made Christmas!

Looking for more advice on growing and caring for evergreens? Head over to our Conifer Care & Advice Hub – your dedicated resource filled with expert growing tips, pruning advice and care guides.