Deck the halls for the holidays

What’s hot for holiday decorating this year? Magnolia leaves, with

their big glossy green leaves and copper undersides, are this

season’s big news.

Magnolia wreaths and garlands are dramatic. Just their size alone

makes them look important. Combined with other seasonal fruit and

greens, these giants in stature and style make a beautiful addition

to any door or mantle.

I stumbled across a Web site a few weeks ago that features fresh

magnolia wreaths and garlands: www.citywreaths.com. City Wreaths is a

division of Silver Terrace Nurseries, Inc. of San Francisco. This is

a family-run business; they have been making wreaths since 1934.

The home page of the Web site offers links to seasonal wreaths,

garlands and company information. Watch the video wreath

demonstration, you’ll be sold.

The Silver Terrace signature product is the magnolia deluxe wreath

that features fresh pomegranates, Santa Rosa hydrangeas, pinecones,

red hanging pepper berries, white tallo berries, seeded eucalyptus

pods and Oregon noble fir. The magnolia deluxe comes in seven sizes

that range from a 20-inch wreath to a behemoth 66-inch production.

Another holiday standout is the silver winter magnolia wreath.

This wreath is a combination of California magnolia, pine, seeded

eucalyptus pods and clusters of white tallo berries. This wreath is

dramatic and if your holiday scheme includes silver tones, this is

the wreath for you.

I was so excited about the products that I bought the magnolia

Ponderosa pine wreath for our front door. The wreath is 25 inches in

diameter, which is substantial for a wreath. I hung it on our 36-inch

wide front door and it looks dramatic. My wreath has magnolia leaves,

coastal Ponderosa pine and sprigs of ilex berries. This combination

translates into a green, copper and red color scheme. It is just the

lift I needed to gear up for holiday decorating.

The wreath was shipped second day air in a large box with the

wreath carefully wrapped inside. It’s very fresh, I think it might

hold up for more than just the holiday season. Once the pine dies out

and the berries fall off, I think the basic magnolia leaf wreath will

be handsome on its own.

The City Wreath garlands combine the same ingredients as the

wreaths. They are sold in six or eight foot lengths. One length of

this garland on your mantle is all the decoration you need. You can

use the garland to frame the front door, drape on a banister or even

enhance your Christmas tree.

Bring some of the City to the beach. It’s a long drive to the San

Francisco Flower Mart, but you can shop from your desk. Or at least

get a little inspiration before you deck the halls.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs

Sundays.