Question
what type of greenery would be appropriate for a june wedding?  we want to make a garland down both sides of the center aisle with the greenery as the base.  do we use floral wire to make the garland 50 feet long?  thanks for your help

Answer
Hi Linda,
The wedding you are doing sounds really lovely. When you make a greenery garland, you will want to use a spool of paddle wire or a spool of waxed twine. You want anything that you use to be pliable and not too damaging to the greeneries. I usually use a #24 or #26 paddle wire or a waxed green twine.
In garland making, the more preparation you put into your product, the more time you will save in the long run. I set out my piles of my greeneries by types of greens. I cut down their stems to about 6" - 8" long. The reason for doing this is that when you are binding each new cluster to the main length that you are making, a shorter stem won't get in the way as much. I start with a handful of same or mixed greeneries as thick as I want my garland to be. I am right handed, so I put them on my left side on my work table. Eventually, I move to the floor because the garland will split apart from the weight if I am up too high with it. Alright, so I start with them on my left side and I start to wrap my wire around the stem ends. I leave a tail on my wire of about 12" so I can use that to attach the end of the garland to something. I keep adding in piles/bunches of greeneries and wrapping them around with the wire, advancing as I go. Keep checking the strength of your overall garland so It is not coming apart. If this starts to happen, just wire backwards to your problem if it is close to your end and then wire back forward again. If your break is further back, get a new length of wire and go back over that portion. To finish your garland, add a bunch in backwards and wire over the top to join the end piece. Make sure you leave another "tail" of wire to be able to attach the piece.
As for greeneries that you would like to use. I usually use plumosus, salal, variegated pittisporum, springereii, etc. You can try anything that you want to use. One way to know if it will hold for your event is to cut your length of greenery from a plant and let it sit out in the elements for a couple of hours. Does it hold up? Did it wilt? This will tell you right away if it is a good greenery for a garland. To store your garland, I always spray mine with a hydrating spray (you can use water in a mister bottle) and then I wind my garland around like a garden hose and pack it into a large garbage bag to store it over night in a cool location.
Have fun with your project. I would practice these techniques with a small version of what you are thinking of before attempting the final wedding day garland. It takes a little bit of skill and can be a little tricky. If you have big long Ivy trailers in your yard, those hold up really well by themselves. You can cut of long lengths of that and wire them together in pieces and tie those onto the chairs or pews. Worst come to worse, you can order a garland from your local florist. If they don't have a source for garland, they can call Tracy at Quality Growers in Florida and she can send them a beautiful one to sell to you. Perfect every time. Good luck.