Tips For Choosing A Fresh Christmas Wreath
Not sure which fresh Christmas wreath to choose? Our buying guide covers size, foliage, decoration style & budget to help you find the perfect wreath
There is nothing quite like a fresh wreath on your front door to signal that Christmas has properly begun. At Lower Hope Festive, we have been making fresh Christmas wreaths on our Herefordshire farm since 1999, and the question we are asked more than any other is how to care for a fresh Christmas wreath so it lasts as long as possible.
The answer is simpler than most people think. Follow a few basic rules around positioning, moisture and heat, and your noble fir wreath will look stunning from the moment it arrives right through to the new year.
Heat is the single biggest enemy of a fresh Christmas wreath. Central heating, open fires and even south-facing doors in winter sunshine will all draw moisture out of the foliage far faster than normal, causing it to dry out and drop needles prematurely.
Where possible, follow these positioning rules:
If your front door faces south and gets a lot of winter sun, consider bringing the wreath inside on particularly bright days and returning it to the door in the evening.
Fresh foliage needs moisture to stay looking its best. A light mist of water every two to three days makes a significant difference to how long your wreath lasts. Use a standard plant mister and spray the foliage lightly all over, underneath as well as on top.
Quick tip: Mist in the morning so any excess moisture can evaporate during the day rather than sitting on the foliage overnight, which can encourage mould in cold, damp conditions.
While fresh foliage handles cold weather well, repeated hard frosts followed by rapid thawing can damage the cells in the leaves and accelerate browning.
Noble fir is the foliage used in all our wreaths. It is one of the hardiest varieties available and handles cold conditions better than most. It is also recognised by the British Christmas Tree Growers Association as one of the finest foliage choices for fresh Christmas decorations and wreaths. However, if your area gets very heavy frosts, consider bringing the wreath inside on the coldest nights.
Most fresh wreaths are built on a wire frame. Over the festive period, as the foliage dries slightly and contracts, decorations can occasionally work loose. Check your wreath every week or so and press any pine cones, berries or decorations back into place if needed.
If a ribbon bow starts to look tired halfway through the season, it is easy to replace with a fresh one from any garden centre or craft shop. A simple refresh that can make the whole wreath look as good as new.
With good care and the right positioning, here is what you can expect from a fresh noble fir wreath:
5-6 weeks
Noble fir indoors, away from heat sources
4-5 weeks
Noble fir on a sheltered door position
2-3 weeks
South-facing door with direct winter sun
1-2 weeks
Near a heat source or open fire indoors
The biggest single variable is heat. A wreath in a cool hallway away from the radiator will comfortably outlast one hung above a fireplace by several weeks.
Knowing when to remove a fresh wreath is as important as knowing how to care for it. The best time to take it down is when the foliage starts to feel dry to the touch but before it begins dropping needles heavily – typically four to six weeks after delivery, which for most people means early to mid January.
Fresh wreaths are completely natural and fully compostable. Once you take yours down, strip off any wire, ribbon or non-organic decorations and add the foliage straight to your compost heap or garden waste bin. Noble fir breaks down quickly and makes excellent compost. Some people also use the dried foliage as natural fire starters, the resinous nature of noble fir makes it particularly effective.
For more detailed aftercare advice covering all our products: wreaths, garlands, mantles and fresh foliage – visit our Christmas wreath aftercare page. It covers everything from storage to long-term care through the full festive season.
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Made to order using sustainably sourced noble fir foliage. Choose your preferred delivery date at checkout. Delivered across the UK.
Hand-crafted fresh wreaths delivered across the UK. Choose your date at checkout.
Not sure which fresh Christmas wreath to choose? Our buying guide covers size, foliage, decoration style & budget to help you find the perfect wreath
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