Southern magnolias during the holidays

Hello, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making It Grow. Magnolia grandiflora, our southern magnolia with large, glossy leaves is part of many nature-based decorations for holidays and special occasions. You can make wreaths and garlands or casket sprays with magnolia and unlike Christmas tree material, these decorations will last and last outdoors. I’ve even taken magnolia wreaths from previous years and spray painted them gold (I’ve found the absolute best gold spray paint which is always on the top shelf at the craft store). If you have stairs in your house, weaving in a nonprickly smilax vine reflects a traditional use not only for Christmas but at weddings – when brides walked downstairs to be married at home like my mother-in-law for her marriage almost a century ago. Special occasions seem more special when we include nature into our décor, perhaps it’s an homage to tradition.