Winter is serious business in some parts of our country. We have already had some rude treatment with dangerous ice and heavy snow this season, and when the weather is severe, having evergreen plants in the landscape may not be on our shopping list of immediate needs. Yet we have also just celebrated several religious and cultural holidays in which decorations made of evergreens play an important role. Mistletoe, holly, fir, pine, cedar and laurel are customary trimmings for mantles, doorways, stair railings, tabletops and centerpieces. The presence of these evergreens cheers us with rich color and scent, and the dramatic leaf textures make for mesmerizing shadow play with candle and fire light.