Living Wreaths: 20 Beautiful Projects for Gift and Decor

LivingWreaths

20BeautifulProjectsforGiftsandDécor

NatalieBernhiselRobinson

PhotographsbySusanBarnsonHayward

LIVINGWREAT HS

20BEAUT IFULPROJECT SFORGIFT SANDDÉCOR

DigitalEdition1.0

Text©2014NatalieBernhiselRobinson

Photographs©2014SusanBarnsonHayward

Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedbyanymeanswhatsoeverwithoutwrittenpermissionfromthepublisher,exceptbriefportionsquotedforpurposeofreview.

GibbsSmithP.O.Box667

Layton,Utah84041

Orders:1.800.835.4993www.gibbs-smith.com

ISBN:978-1-4236-3265-8

Formyhusband,Matthew,withloveandboundlessgratitude,andformytwobeautifulchildren,FelixandOlive—youmakelifeworthliving.

Love,Inspire,Create.

LivingWreathsTableofContents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

MaterialsandUsefulTools

TipsforHanging

SucculentsEcheveriaMixedSucculent1HensandChicksMixedSucculent2SucculentandFlower

MixedFlowers

Cactus

Moss

NaturalMossIrishandScotchMoss

Ivy

MixedVine

Strawberry

Tomato

Herb

Lettuce

Lavender

SpiderPlant

BegoniaandJade

BronzeCloverandGroundCover

LeafyHouseplant

Acknowledgments

ThisLivingWreathsbookchallengedmetomycoreandpushedmewelloutsidemycomfortzone.Ispentmanyhoursinthefetalposition,inmycloset,wonderingifIcouldaccomplishthisgoal.Pulloffelaborateflowerarrangementsforawedding—noproblem,butwriteabook!?(Gasp!)Ihadtokeeprepeating, IthinkIcan,IthinkIcan,IthinkIcan, andguess

what,Ididit!I’msohonoredtoexpressmygratitudeforthosewhohavehelpedmealongtheway.

Thankyou,Matt,myincrediblehusbandandbestfriendforholdingmyhandthroughthisexcitingbook-writingprocess.Youbecamewellaccustomedtohavinglivingwreathstakeoverthehouseandtheyard.Therewerelivingwreathsinthesink,wreathsonthefloor,wreathsonthecounter,wreathsinthedrivewayandmosseverywhere!

Thankyoutomydarlingchildrenwhoweresopatientwithmewhilewritingandphotographingthisbook.Ilovedhavingyoubothwithmeduringthelongdaysphotographing.Asafive-year-oldandtwo-year-old,youbecamelivingwreathexpertsyourselves,helpingmepickoutbeautifulsucculentsandcollectingclumpsofmossforwreathswhileplayinginthebackyard.

Icalleduponfamilyandfriendsforinspirationandyourideasandwordsweresohelpful.Aspecialthankstomyamazingfatherandmother,KurtandBetsyBernhisel,andtomyfourbeautifulsisters—Heather,Ashlie,AllisonandSarahjane.Aspecialthank-youtomydearfriends,ErikaSheffield-StullandAlisonGates.

IwasluckyenoughtoworkwiththemostcreativeandtalentedfriendandphotographerSusanHayward.Youtrulycapturedthestunningandsimplisticbeautyofmywreaths.Thankyou!

Abigthank-youtomyamazingeditor,HollieKeith,forfirstcomingtomewiththisprojectandforalwaysextendingmydeadlinesjustalittlefurther.Yourinsightsandhardworkaremuchappreciated.

IntroductionTheonlydifferencebetweenanextraordinarylifeandanordinaryoneistheextraordinarypleasuresyoufindin

ordinarythings.

—VeroniqueVienne

Thewreathisasymboloflife,eternity,welcomeandcomfort.Aringtohangonyourfrontdoorthatcalls, Comeinside,oldfriend. Wreathsarefrequentlythemostimpressiveofdisplays,whetherdrapedoverafireplaceorhungasagrandwelcomeonafrontdoor.Fromthesimplestherbwreathtothemoreextravagantsucculentdesign,theirstrongoutlinesandshapeshavegreatvisualimpact.Whateverthetimeofyear,awreathaddsacheerfulbreathoffreshairtosurroundings.

I’vealwayshadaloveofflowersandfloraldesigningfromanearlyage.Iwouldfindmyselfgatheringflowers,grasses,branchesandleavesfrommymother ’sbackyard.Myfavoriteshavealwaysbeenthefuzzypussywillowsandbloomingbranchesthatmakeajoyfulappearanceinearlyspring.ThefirstsignsofthosegloriousbloomsandbudsmakemyheartsingandtellmethatIcanholdonjustalittlebitlonger,warmerweatherisontheway.Istartedtakingsomeofmyclippingsanddecideditwouldbeeasyenoughtowirethemontoawreathform.ItISeasy!Thisthenprogressedintoafull-fledgedwreath-makingbusiness,andintomycurrentfloralcompany,LaFleur.I’venevergivenuptheloveoffindingnaturalmaterialsinmyownbackyardorinthebeautifulmountainsofUtah.IcertainlyalwayshavegardensnipsinmycarinhopesIseesomelovelyreddogwoodbranches,berriedjuniperorfragrantsagebrush(mynewobsession).Icallthissnippinginthewild harvesting, andI’vebeenknowntodoitunderthecoverofdarkness.YoubetIknowwhereIcanfindlilyofthevalleybloomingbehindthelocalbankorwherealltheginkgotreesareinthecitysoIcanfindsomeleavesforabridalbouquet.Iknowitmaybetemptingtogoclipbundlesofbloomingforsythiainyourneighbor ’syardatmidnight,butIassureyou,it’seasiertojustknockonthedoorandask.

Thereisnothinglikeplungingyournoseintothedeeplyintensefragranceofbayleaf,eucalyptusandevergreens.Sniffdeep.ThescentofbayleaftakesmymindtothebeginningofDecemberandtheholidayseasonwhenIstartdecoratingthehouse.Freshbundlesofbaydecoratethemantelpieceandtabletops,bringingtheoutdoorsin,tocreateabotanicalwonderland.Hand-wiredwreathsofevergreensandpineconesfilleachwindowanddoorfront.Wreathmakingreleasesagloriousfreshscentasyouworkandcreatesamagnificentdecoration.Ifindgreatpleasureinadorningmyhomewithsuchfragranceandbeauty,andfinditawarmandwelcomingwaytogreetgatheringsoffamilyandfriendsduringthecoldestwintermonths.

Decemberalsobringsaboutmyannualwreath-makingclasses.Itstartedoutwithonlyafewstudentsandquicklygrew.Ifindthatmostpeoplearedelightedintakingnature’sbountyandmakingcreationsthatdecorateourhomesandsurroundings,andtopossiblygifttofriendsandfamily.Theappealofusingnaturalmaterialsisthatyouareimmediatelybestowedwith

anexquisitecolorschemethatisatonewiththesurroundings.Byworkingwiththeseasons,youarecontinuallybeingpresentedwithnewmaterialsthatprovideanever-revolvingcycleofdifferenttexturesandforms.Natureisthebestdesigner.Thesubtletyofnaturalcolorsandthevarietyofformscanneverquitebematchedbyanythingwecouldeverdreamup.Iloveteachinganewskilltowillingstudents.Theycometoclassshyandintimidated,thinkingtheymaynotbe crafty enough.Studentsendupleavingwithbeautiful,fresh,handmadewreaths.Headsareheldhighwiththelookofachievementontheirfaces.Theyhavecreatedsomethinguniqueandwondrouswiththeirownhands,andI’msoproudtobetheirteacher.

Mostcraftersanddo-it-yourselfersfocusonthetemporarywreath.Aftertheseason,youareleftwithdriedleavesandcrispycrumblingboughs.IfindmyselfbowingmyheadandhavingamomentofsilencewithmybeautifulcreationasItossitintothegarbagebin.Singletear.Butdryyoureyes,friends,becausethisbookisaboutthelivingwreath.Itdoesasthenameimplies—itliveson!Simplywaterregularlyandwatchthemgrow!Withthenewfoundskillsthisbookwillteach,youcanmakelivingwreathsforanyseason.Imaginehowfunitwillbetohavefamilyandfriendsgathermaterialsandhaveacreativewreath-makingparty.

Whenyoubeginmakingyourownwreaths,youwillbeamazedtodiscoveryetanotherdesignstyle—yourown.Usethisbookasaguide,butundoubtedlymakesomesubtlechanges,adddifferentplantvarieties,differentcolors,textures,etc.Enjoyyourpersonalizedinterpretationofthewreathdesignsandbeassuredthatit’sdifficulttomakeanincorrectwreath.It’snotwrong;embracethenon-perfectionandwildnessofyourcreation.Ifyoudonotlovetheresults,simplyaddafewplantsandjustremoveelementsandgivesomethingnewawhirl.Manydifferentplants,succulentsandcactusesadaptnicelyinthebasiclivingwreathstyle.Morethanjustawreath,itisagardeninminiature,onethatchangescontinuously.Itwillbefunandexcitingforyoutomakeyourwreathdiscoveries.

Happyharvestingandwreathmaking!

MaterialsandUsefulTools

Thisiswhatyouwillneedtostartingcreatingalivingwreath.

Plasticsheetingoralargegarbagebagtocoveryourworksurface

Latexgloves

Wirewreathframe

Pottingsoil

Water-retainingcrystals

Sheetmoss

Spoolof20-to22-gaugecopperwire

Wirecutters

Gardenshears

Screwdriver,chopstickorwoodenskewer

Forceps

U-shapedwireorpins

Plantandflowervarieties

PlasticSheeting

Useplasticsheetingoralargegarbagebagtocoveryourworksurface.Thiswillprotectyourworktableandalloweasycleanup.

LatexGloves

Latexgloveswillprotectyourhandswhilewrappingthewireframewithmoss.Mosscanirritatetheskin,sothisisagoodprecaution.Thelatexisthinandallowsyoutoplantandcreateyourlivingwreathquiteeasily,opposedtobulkygardeninggloves.Ido,however,suggestwearingheavygloveswhenmakingthecactuswreath.

WireFrames

Everylivingwreathowesitsbeginningtoawireframeorbase.Thehollowstructurewillholdsoil,mossandplantmatter.Youcanpurchasewireframesdesignedspecificallyforconstructionoflivingwreaths,andmostcomewithahangingchain.TheframesusedonthisbookwerepurchasedfromTopiaryArtworks.com.Ifyouaregoingtotakethetimetomakealivingwreath,whynotpurchasequalitymaterialsthatinsurealong-lastingcreation?Wreathframescomeinanarrayoffunshapesandsizes,suchasaclassicroundshapeand,foramoremoderndesign,squareandrectangularshapes.Consequently,theimportanceofchoosingtherightbasecan’tbeunderestimated.

http://TopiaryArtworks.com

Soil

Forsucculentandcactuslivingwreaths,Ilikeusingasoilmadespecificallyfortheselow-watervarieties.Otherwreathswillbenefitfromastandardpottingsoilwithanaddedfertilizer.Ifalivingwreathistosustainflowers,fruitandlushgreenfoliage,thedemandsfornutrientsandwaterwillexceedthatofasucculentwreath.Polymerwater-retainingcrystalsarecapableofholdingapproximately200timestheirweightinwater,andtheyareidealformoisture-lovingplants.Polymersareinexpensiveandcanbefoundinthegardensectionofyourlocalgardenstore.Followthemanufacturer ’srecommendedamountsonthepackage,andaddthemtothequantityofsoilsuggestedbelow.Thewater-retainingpolymersaremixedintothemoistsoilanhourbeforeplantingtoallowfullabsorptionofthewater.Asthecrystalsabsorbthewaterandswell,theyincreasethebulkofthesoil.Withoutthewater-

retainingcrystals,yourwreathwilldryoutratherquickly,especiallyintheheatofsummermonths.

SoilQuantities

10-inchwreath—3/4gallon12-inchwreath—1gallon14-inchwreath—1-1/2gallons18-inchwreath—2-1/2gallons

Moss

Sheetmoss,orsphagnummoss,isthebesttypeofmosstouseinalivingwreathapplication.Sphagnummossisthekindmostcommonlyusedtobuildmoss-linedhangingbaskets.Itissoldbythebagorbythepound.Itcanbedifficulttogaugetheexactamountneededsinceitdoesnothaveauniformdensity.Becauseofthat,it’swisetohaveasurplussupplyforpatchingthinareasandtuckingaroundplants.

MossQuantities

10-inchwreath—1pound12-inchwreath—1to2pounds14-inchwreath—2pounds18-inchwreath—3to4pounds

Wire

Twenty-or22-gaugecopperwireisanexcellentchoicefortheconstructionofawreath.It’sheavydutyandwillnotcorrode.Ifyoucan’tfindcopperwireonaspool,wraplooselycoiledwireontoyourownpaddleoremptyspool.

WireWrapping

10-inchwreath—40inchesofwire12-inchwreath—50inchesofwire14-inchwreath—60inchesofwire

18-inchwreath—80inchesofwire

FishingLine

Forthelivingmosswreath,it’sbesttosecurethemossontopofthewreathformwithfishingline.

WireCutters

Don’tdullyourgardenshearsorscissorsbycuttingwire.Pickupapairofwirecuttersatthehardwarestore.

GardenShears

Astrongpairofspring-loadedshearswillcopewithmostmaterial.Alwaysuseapairthatfeelscomfortabletoworkwith.

ScrewdriverorWoodenSkewer

You’llneedsomesortofsharptooltopokeholesinthefinishedlivingwreathbase.Thiswillallowforspacetoplacerootsandplants.Ascrewdriverworksgreatorevenawoodenskewer,chopstickorpencil.

Forceps

Ireallycan’timagineplantingalivingwreathwithoutthisusefultool.Notonlycantheforcepsmaketheplantingholes,butitalsoholdsdelicatestemsandallowsforrootstobetuckedintothesoileasily.Forcepsareamust-havewhilehandlingpricklycactuses.

U-ShapedWireorPins

U-shapedpinsorsmall2-inchpiecesofwirebentintoaUshapewillhelpsecurecuttingsandplantswhilerootstakehold.

Plants

Mostplantsthatworkwellinacontainergardenwillworkwithinalivingwreathapplication.Chapterswillidentifyspecificplantchoicesanddesigns,andhowbesttogetstarted.

GettingStarted:WreathBaseConstruction

1TheWorkArea

Selectaworkareaoutofdirectsunbutwithgoodlighting.Insideisfinetoo.Youwillneedplentyofspaceinwhichtoworkifyouaretokeeporganized.First,makesurethatyourworksurfaceisattherightheight.Waist-highlevelwillbethemostcomfortableandefficient,anythinglowerwillhaveyouhunchedoverwithastrainedback.Ifyourtableisnotwaistlevel,tryingusingsomebricksorcementblockstoelevateittothecorrectheight.Wreathsarebestmadeifyouremainstanding,especiallyasyoushouldoftenmovebacktoassessprogress,andyouwillprobablyneedtobeonyourfeettoselectmaterialsandsupplies.

2PlasticSheeting

Spreadplasticsheetingoranunusedlargegarbagebagtocovertheworksurfacebeforebeginning.Theplasticwillallowyoutoeasilyturnthewreathbaseduringconstructionandplanting.Placeanytoolsyouwillneedtothesideoftheworkarea,withineasyreach.

3MossPreparation

Readythemossandremembertosliponlatexgloves.Givethemossagoodsoakbeforestartingwreathconstruction.Fillabucketwithcoolwaterandsubmergethemossandallowittoreallyabsorbthewater.Ringitoutwell,andremembertosavethisnutrient-richmossywaterforwateringyourgarden.Youwillwanttobeginmakingyourwreathwithdampmoss.

4FormtheMossMat

Placeyourwell-draineddampmossintothemiddleoftheworksurface.Sheetmosshasamoreattractivegreentopandalowerrootedarea.Turnthegreensidefacingdownandtherootedareafacingup,sinceitwillbereversedduringwrapping.Makeacircularshapewiththemoss,approximatelytwoandhalftimesthediameterofthewireframe.Youwillhaveamucheasiertimeifusingagenerousamountofmoss.Laydowntheframetomakesurethereisenoughmosstowrapallthewayaround.Trytokeeplargesectionsofthemossintact,andopenpiecesthathavebeendoubledoverinpacking.Large,flatsectionsofmossworkbest,withathicknessofapproximately1-1/2inchesdeep.Addextramosstothinareastopreventsoilfromleakingthrough.It’sagoodideatohavealargepileofpatchmossreadyforthewire-wrappingprocess.

5PlacingtheWreathFrame

Laythewirewreathframeontothepreparedmossmat.Someofthetubularwireformshavelittlewedgefeetononeside,whichallowforthewreathtobeelevatedsomewhatwhilehangingorlayingonatabletop.Makesurethefeetarefacingdownwhileyouwrapthewreath.Takeoffthehangingclipandsetitaside.Youcanreattachitontothewreathonceitiscompleted.Youcanleaveitattached,butittendstogetinthewayandmightgetcaughtupinsidethewreathasyouarewrapping.

6Soil

Startplacingthemoistpottingsoiloverthewireframesothatitfillstheinsideofthehollowwirestructure.Gentlypatthesoilbutdonotovercompressandcompactit.Rootslikeairspaceswithinthesoil.

7FoldingMossovertheSoil

Viewyourwreathlikeamapwithfourdirections.Liftmossfromtheoutsidenorth,thensouth,eastandwestpoints,layingitonthetopofthesoilcore.Thiswillmakeforanevenwreathbase.

8WireWrapping

Openthespoolofwiretoa6-inchlengthandplaceitunderneaththemossmatwiththeframeandsoilontop.Whileholdingthemosswithonehand,passthespoolofwireupoverthetopandbackaround.Liftthemossslightlysoasnottodisturbthesoilandjusthighenoughtopassthespoolunderit.Repeatthisonthesamesectiontooverlapthewire.Thiswillensureyourwireisverysecure,andwon’tstartunravelingasyoucontinuewrapping.Twistthebeginningofthewiretogetherwiththewirefromthespoolandpullittautsothatitdisappearsintothemoss.Repeatpassingthespooledwireunderneaththewreathbase.Wrapthewireevery3/4inch,orthewidthofyourforefingerisagoodmeasurement.You’llthinktoyourself,Thisissuchamess!IthinkI’mdoingsomethingwrong!Somebodypleasehelpme!Don’tpanic.Themosswillopenupandsoilwillspillout,anditwilllookasifyou’vemadeaterriblemistake.Youhaven’t,thisisnormal.Justkeepscoopingthesoilbackintotheframeandusealotofpatchpiecesofmoss.Keepwrappingwiththewire,anddon’tgiveup!Youcandothis!Itwillallcometogetherintheend.

Maintainatauttensiononthecopperwireasyourepeatedlypassitbeneaththebase.Ifyouhappentopullonyourspoolofwirewithtoomuchtensionanditbreaks,don’tworry.Simplytwistandsecurethebrokenpieceofwire,andstartagainwiththespoolofwire.Theplasticsheetingunderneathyourwreathcanberotatedduringconstructiontomaintainyourmostcomfortableposition.

Oncetheentirewreathiswiredtogether,flipitoverandlookforanyspotsthatmightneedsomepatching.Usuallytheundersidehassomevisiblesoil,sojustpatchupthoseareaswithmoremoss.Keepthewireattachedandwrapitaround,fillinginanythinspots.

9EndingtheWrapping

Whenyoucometotheendofwrapping,jointhebeginning6-inchtailwirewiththewireonthespool.Cutoffthewireandtuckanyexcessintothemoss.

10YouAreNowReadytoStartingPlanting!

Whew,youdidit!Gopouryourselfacelebratorydrink.

Afewideasaboutfinishedwreathbases—

Wreathbasescanbemadeandkeptindefinitelyinadryplace.Whenyouarereadytostartplanting,soakanddrainthewreathandgetstarted.

Wreathbasescanberecycledintonewlivingwreathsoncebloomingisfinished.Theycanbereplantedwithnewseedlingsforanewlookandpurpose.

TipsforHanging

Ilovetheeaseofhangingalivingwreathusingthewirewreathframesthatcomewithachainandhook.Theyarestrong,durableandreadytouse.Ifyoupurchasewreathframesthatdonothaveaprovidedhook,Isuggestusingstrongpicture-hangingwire.Attachittothebackofthewreath,directlyontothewireframe.Ifyou’vemadeyourwreathbaseproperly,you’llnoticethatitcanbehardtofindthewreathbaseframeinsideallthewrappingofmossandsoil.You’llhavetostickyourforcepsorfingersinsideandopenupasectiononthebackofyourwreathtothreadyourpicture-hangingwirethrough.Tiesecurelyusingadoubleknot.

Ifyouarecreatingawreathof18inchesorlarger,thenusetwoparallelhangingwirestodispersetheloadandpreventsagging.Alwaystesttheweight-bearinghookornailonyourdoororwallbeforehanging.

Whenhangingalivingwreath,youwillwanttoallowforproperdrainagefirst.Asopping-wetwreathcandamageapainteddoororwall.Afterthoroughlywateringawreath,placeitonaraisedsurfacethatwillallowfordrainageandforairtocirculatearoundit.Usingupside-downterracottapotsasastandforadrainingwreathisagoodoption.

Foratabletopwreath,useasturdyplasticdishthatismadeforaplantthatwouldbeplacedonyourfloor.Thedishislowenoughthatthewreathwillgetplentyofaircirculation,andthemosspeekingthroughdisguisestheclearplastic.Thelargehardwarestorescarrytheseinanarrayofsizes.

Succulents

Theflamboyantsucculentwreathcelebratesthesubtlecolorandechoesthedramaticcircularshapeofsucculents.Awelcomeadditiontoanyrusticwall,thesucculentsinthefollowingwreathssimplygeneratesunshine.Succulentwreathshaveanabundantfreshfeelthatwillinjectlifeintoanyenvironment.

SucculentCuttings

MultipleonlineresourcessuchasEtsyandAmazonareavailabletopurchaseawidevarietyofsucculentcuttings.Thegrowerselectsanarrayofvarietiesandshipsthemdirectlytoyou,wrappedinpaperandreadytoplant.It’squiteexcitingopeningthispackagetorevealsuchbeautifullittlejewelsthatwillgrowandflourishinyourlivingwreath.Youcanalsopurchasesucculentplantsfromgardencenterstocreateyourowncuttings.Allownewcutstemstocallusoverfortwodayspriortowreathconstruction.Thecallusendisthehardscab-likeareatheplantwillrootfrom.Succulentsrooteasilywhensoilandmossarekeptmoist.

SucculentPlants

Succulentswithattachedrootscanalsobeeasilyplantedintoalivingwreath.Youcansimplypurchaseahandfulofplantsandhavealivingwreathcompletedinhardlyanytimeatall.Carefullyremovemostofthesoilfromtherootsbyscrapingwithyourforceps,orevengivetherootsadunkinfreshcoolwatertoremoveevenmoreofthesoil.Nowgetplanting!

DesignandPlantingTechniques

WreathDesign

Firstyouwillwanttoplanyourwreathdesign.Succulentlivingwreathsareconstructedinquiteastraightforwardway,buttoachieveaflowingfeelofunrestrainedopulencerequirescarefulpositioningofmaterials.Itisimportanttokeepagoodbalanceofcolorandshape,sostandbackasoftenaspossibleandtakeagoodlook.Thereisnorightorwrongwaytogoaboutplantingthesucculentsintoyourwreath.Havecourage,youcan’tmessthisup!Youcanplantinacircularpatternalongtheouterringandmakeyourwayarounduntilyoureachthecenter.Thebasewillresembleawreathuponawreath.Iprefertofillandcompleteonesectionofthewreathatatime,startingononesideandcompletelyplantinguntilIreachallthewayaround.

Forapleasingandnaturaldesign,staggertheshapesandsizesastonotresembleabull’s-eyetarget.Mixandmatchdifferentcolors,textures,sizesandvarietiesordoamassgroupingofasolidcolor.Ialsofindthatclusteringtwolargesimilarsucculentsononesideofthewreath,withoneadditionallargesucculentontheopposingsidetobalancethedesignandtocreateastunningfocalpointworksgreat.Anothereasytechnique,especiallyforabeginner,istocreateyourdesignonyourworksurfacebeforeyoustartplanting.Layoutyoursucculentcuttingsonthetableinawreathshape,movingplantsarounduntilyouendupwithapleasingdesign.Afteryourdesignislaidout,youcanstartplantingthesucculentsintoyourwreath.

Planting

1. Startwithadamplivingwreathbase.

2. Withforceps,awoodenskewerorascrewdriver,makeaholethroughthemossintothecoreofthewreath-basesoil.Plantingwithforcepsisidealandhighlyrecommended!Forcepsallowforeasyplacementofslender,delicatestemsintothesoil.Theycanalsoopenawedgeorholeinthewreathbase,andthetipshelptuckindelicateroots.

3. Insertthesucculentcuttingortheplantrootsintotheholeasdeeplyaspossible.Pushthesurroundingmossandsoiltowardthestemfromalldirectionstosecure.Addapinchofextramossaroundthestemtofillinthehole,ifneeded.

4. Ifthesucculentfeelsasifitmightfallout,addaU-shapedpinforsupport.A1-1/2-inchwirebentintoaU-shapeisagreatsize.Youcanmakelargerpinstosecurelarger

succulents.Itendtousequiteafewpinsinmysucculentwreathmaking,especiallyaroundthesteepoutersidesofthebase.Youdon’twantallyourhardworktocomeundone!Neverstickthepinintothefleshofthestemorleaf,but,rather,positionthepintostraddlethesection.Onalargesucculentrosettethatcanbequiteheavy,I’vepinnedaroundthestemfrombelowandevengentlystraddleddownontopofaleafforaddedsupport.Besurenottocrushtheplumpleaves.

Afterplanting,thewreathshouldlayflatforfivetosixweekstohelprootstakehold.

Watering

Succulentsareeasytocarefor,astheydon’tneedalotofwatertoflourish.Mostsucculentsaredroughttolerantandareaccustomedtolongperiodsbetweenwatering.Squeezethewreathfrombehind,ifthebaseishardanddry,giveitadeepwatering.Ifthemossisdryontheoutsidebutsoftinsidewhenyousqueeze,donotwater.Waterthewreathonceeverytwoweeksbyfullysubmergingitinwaterfortwotothreeminutesoruntilthebubblesthatescapeceasecomingtothesurface.Ifwateringwithagardenhoseispreferred,taketheutmostcare.Aheavystreamofwaterfromyourhosewillknockallyourbeautifullyrootedsucculentsloose.Aslowdribblefromthehoseisaneffectivewreath-wateringprocedure,providedthatit’sdoneataslowandgentleratewithrepeatedapplications.Succulentsdonottolerateoverwateringormistinginparticularalongwithmostotherplantsingeneral.Makesuretodrainthoroughlybeforeyourehang.

HangingLocation

Thinkaboutwhereyouwanttohangasucculentwreath.Succulentscanlookdifferentandvaryincolorandtexturedependingonsunexposure.Isuggestkeepingyournewlyconstructedwreathinbrightlightbutoutofdirectsunlightforoneweekandthengraduallyintroduceittofullexposure.However,wreathsmightbenefitmostinpartialshadefromthemiddaysun.Tobeonthesafeside,protectallsucculentwreathsfromfreezingtemperatures.Brightlightisgenerallyarequirementforthehealthygrowthofsucculentwreaths,withprotectionfrommiddaysuninintenseheat.Thesamebright-lightneedsexistforindoorsucculentwreaths.

EcheveriaThesimplicityofthesea-glass-blueecheveriaisstunning.Thisvarietyisfoundatmostgardencenters,soputtingtogetheralivingwreathwillbeasnap!Iused6to7plantsforasimplewreathdesign,withsomeofthemossbaseexposed.Foranevenmorestrikingdisplay,completelyfillthewreathwithsolidecheveria.Thelargerosettescanberatherheavy,somakesuretosecuretherootswithU-shapedpins.Foraddedsupport,youcanpindownsomeoftheunderleavesusingthestraddletechnique.Rootscanalsobecutofffromtheecheveriaandallowedtocallusoverandrootagainwhilesnugglyplantedinthewreathbase.

11-inchwreathbase

MixedSucculent1Thevariousshapes,colorsandtexturesofthesesucculentsmakemyheartgopitter-patter.Iassureyouplantingsucculentcuttingswillnotbedifficult,butitwilltakesometime,sobepatientandhavefuncreatingthisuniquepieceofart.

9-inchwreathbaseApproximately100cuttings

HensandChicksHensandchicksareoneofmyall-timefavoritesucculentvarieties.Ihavethemgrowingallovermyyardandspillingoutofnumerouspotsandcontainers.Theyareveryhappygroupedtogetherandwillspreadnicely.Thedeepgreygreenrosetteswithrosyredcenterspopnexttothebrightgreenvariety.Takesomeofthenew-growthchicksandstartanewwreath!

11-inchwreathbase9to10(3-inch)succulents(withanyextrachicksgrowingoffeachmotherplant)

MixedSucculent2Inthismoremodern-lookingwreath,Igroupedlikesucculentsinthicksectionsaroundthecircularform.Thesinglelarge,ruffledpink-edgedsucculentmakesforabeautifulfocalpoint.

9-inchwreathbase10to12(2-inch)succulents

SucculentandFlowerThefleshysucculentsinjuxtapositionwiththedelicatebloomsofalyssummakeabeautifulpairing.

9-inchwreathbase25succulentcuttings12flowerseedlingplugs

MixedFlowers

Thisfloralwreathsuggestsanodtothepastwithpetunias,impatiensandalyssuminshadesofwhiteandpinks.Whenchoosingtheflowersthatwillbloominyourwreath,keepinmindthewidevarietyofoptions.Flowersprovidewonderfulcolorandtexturecontrasttothestarkbeautyofaweatheredbarndoor.Color,textureandshapecanbeawonderfulshowcaseinwreathform.Therecanbegrandandsmall-scaledesignstosuiteeveryoccasionandsituation.

Plantmaterialthatisveryyoung,evenbeforetheflowercolorshows,iseasiertoplantandthemostcapableofmakingtheadjustmenttothelivingwreathbase.Selecthealthyplantsthatarestillinbudandthathavelooseroots.Maturespecimenslooktemptinginthenursery,buttheyinvitefailure.

15-inchwreathbase40seedlingplugsinamixtureofvarieties

PlanningtheDesign

Pickanarrayofplantsthatwillshowcasecharminglyopenfacesburstingwithsummertimecolor.Iusedacombinationofwhiteandpinkpetunias,impatiensandalyssum.Mywreathcanbeusedsolelyforinspiration.Choosewhatevercolorssuityourmoodorgarden.Other

flowervarietiesthatworkbeautifullyinlivingwreathsarepansy,lobelia,nasturtiumandbegonias.

Getstartedbyfirstlayingoutyourdesignonaworksurface.Clusterpetuniasandimpatienstogether,andaddinalyssuminequalareasaroundthewreathtogivebillowysoftness.Onceyouhaveagooddesignplanned,youcanstartplanting.

PreppingthePlants

Gentlyremoveplantsfromtheirplasticpots.Usingforceps,scrapeoffexcesssoiltoexposetheroots.

PlantingtheFlowers

1. Theplantingtechniqueforaflorallivingwreathisnearthesameasplantingasucculentwreath.Startbypokingholesintothewreathformusingforcepsorascrewdriver.

2. Spacingplantsevery3to5inches,dependingontheplantsize,isnottooclose.Wreathplantsarespacedmuchcloserthaniftheyweregrowinginagarden.

3. Iftherootballissmallenough,gentlysqueezeittofittheslitinthebaseandeaseintherootswiththeforceps.Largeolderplantswillbenearlyimpossibletoplantintothewreathform.Tryrinsingthesoilofftherootballtoreducethesizewithoutdamagingtheroots.Withforceps,easetherootsintotheslityouhavemadeinthewreathbase.

4. Don’tplantintheinnercircleofyourframe,ortheroundwreathshapewillbelost.It’salsohelpfultonotethatafinishedplantedwreathisapproximately4incheslargerthanthewirewreathbaseform.

5. Thiswreathshouldremainflatfortwoweeksbeforehanging.

Care

Mixedflowerlivingwreathsdobestinsunorpartialsunwithevenlymoistsoil.Shadediminishesthebloomcycles,andinhotweatheraweeklyfertilizerapplicationwillkeeptheplantsproducing.Regularpruningandremovingfadedbloomswillhelpmaintainahealthywreath.

Waterthewreathbyfullysubmerginginwateronceortwiceaweekfortwotothreeminutesorwithalongandgentlesoakwithagardenhose.Ifwateringbyhose,sprayastreamofwateroverthewreath,waitafewminutesandthenrepeattheproceduretoallowthewreathtobecomefullysaturated.Drainwellbeforerehanging.

Cactus

I’vealwayshadafondnessforthedesert.I’mdrawnlikeamagnettotheorangeandcoralcolors,thewornsmoothsandstone,theheat,thetextures,thefloraandfauna.WhenIseeabarrelcactus,pricklypearorblueagave,Ithinkallisrightintheworld!Wecanallhavealittlepieceofthedesertrightathomewithacactuslivingwreath.

Althoughwreathsareusuallyhungonawallordoor,theycanbeveryeffectiveasatabledecoration.Iimaginethisthornylovelyonyourtableasyousipafrostymargarita!Ole!Thiswreathisnotforthefaintofheart;however,youwillberichlyrewardedwithadaringconversationpiece.

You’llneedavarietyofsmallcactustocreatethislivingwreath.Cactusesareusuallyavailableinmostgrocerystoresandlargehardwarestores,somakingthislivingwreathisveryaccessible.Pickanarrayofdifferentcolors,sizesandtexturesorwhatevercactusesarecallingouttoyou.

11-inchwreathbase25cactuses

PlanningtheDesign

Justlikethesucculentwreaths,youwillwanttopre-planyourcactuswreathdesignandlayout.Arrangethecactusesonatabletofindapleasingarrangementorsimplystartplantingandaddingcactusesasyoumovearoundthewreath.Ilikethelookofclusteringsimilarcolorsinareastoaddsomeinterestandtomaintainbalance.

PreppingtheCactus

1. Whenworkingwithcactuses,youwillwanttowearheavygardengloves.Pickapairthatfitsyourhandsproperly.You’llwantasnugfit.

2. Gentlygrabthebaseofacactuswiththeforcepsandpulltheplantoutoftheplasticpot.Knockoffasmuchofthesandysoilaspossiblewithascrewdriverorwoodenskewer.Doingthisoverabuckettocatchtheexcesssoilisagoodidea.

3. Givetherootsagooddunkinfreshwatertoreallycleanofftherootball.Asyouareworkingwiththedifferentvarieties,you’llnoticesomecanbeeasilydividedandusedindifferentareasofthewreath.

PlantingtheCactus

1. Besuretotaketheutmostcarewhilecreatingacactuswreath.Spineswillprickyouatthemostinopportunetimes.Pokeholesintothewreathformwithyourforcepsorscrewdriver.Someofthecactusrootscanbeonthebulkyside,soreallyopenawideholebytwistingyourforcepsinacircularrotation.

2. Lifteachcactuswithforcepsandthenplaceitinahole.Abentpieceofthickcardboardtoholdorsupportthecactusisalsoausefultool.

3. Useyourforcepstopushrootsdeepintothesoil.Togivesomeextrasupportwhilerootsstart,securetheplantswithfloralpins,buttakecaretonotpiercethecactuses.Ontheouteredgeofmywreath,Iusedanumberofwirepinsonthelargeballcactus;gravitylikestopullthemout.Ifyoufindsomebarespotsneartheroots,addinapinchofmoss.

Care

Afterplanting,waterweeklyforonemonthuntilrootsbecomeestablished.Soakthewreathwithaslowandgentledribblefromthehoseuntilcompletelymoistandthendrainwell.Cactuseslovetheheatandsunandareverydroughttolerant,sothiswreathwillbehappyoutdoors.Thewreathwilllookitsbestwithregularwateringinhottermonths.Cactusesalsothriveindoorswithplentyoflightandrequireverylittlewatering.

Moss

NaturalMossSoftvelvetpillowsofgreenmosslookexquisiteinwreathform.Naturalmosscanbegatheredfromthewoodlandsoritmightbelurkinginyourownbackyard.Icollectedalargebucketfullfromanoldraingutteronmygarage.Flowershopsshouldcarrymoodmoss,anothervarietythatworksgreatforlivingwreathapplications.Mosscanlookseeminglydry,brown,andlifelessuntilyougiveitaquicksoakincoolfreshwater.Rightbeforeyoureyes,itplumps,turnsgreenandspringstolife!

15-inchroundwreathformApproximately25(3x3-inch)mosses

WrappingtheMoss

1. Startwithadampwreathbase.

2. Thereisnoneedtopokeholesintothewreathform.Simplypacksectionsofmoistenedlivingmossontopofthewreathbase,somossuponmossiswhatwearegoingfor.Iclusterednaturalgatheredmossandmoodmosstogetsomecolorandtexturevariation.

3. Tieonyourspooloffishinglineandplaceonaclumpofmossandgentlystartwrappingat1-inchintervalstosecurethemoss.Thisisthesamewrappingtechniqueaswhenyouwrappedthecopperwiretomakeyourwreathbase.Thefishinglineeffectivelydisappearsintothemoss.

4. Continueaddingonmoremoss,wrappinguntiltheentirewreathiscovered.

5. Tieoffthefishingline.Thiswreathcanhangimmediatelyafterconstruction.

CareofaNaturalMossWreath

Thismosswreathdoesbesthanginginashadylocationoutofdirectsunlight.Keepitverymoistbysubmergingitinwaterforthreeminutesorbygivingalongandgentlesoakwiththehose.Inhottermonths,youmayhavetomoistenthewreathquiteoftentokeepitgreenandplump.

IrishandScotchMossThedensetuftsandshaggytextureoftheIrishandScotchmossesremindmeofanoldpatchworkquilt.Thiswreathwillbealushcarpetofemeraldandchartreusegreenandwillbloomstar-shapedwhiteflowersinthespringandearlysummer.Bothofthesemossesareeasilyfoundatnurseriesandgardencenters.

11-inchsquarewreathform8Irishmosses8Scotchmosses

PreppingtheMoss

Takeoutthemossfromitsplasticpotandremoveallsoil,leavingjustthegreentuftofmosswithsomesoilclingingtotheroots.Don’tbeafraidtoremovethebottomrootsandsoil.Mossthriveswhileplantedlevelwiththesoilline.

WrappingtheMoss

1. ThetechniqueforwrappingtheIrishandScotchmossesisthesameasthenaturalmosswreath.Startwithadampwreathbase.Thereisnoneedtopokeholesintothewreathform.Simplypacksectionsofmossesontopofthewreathbase,somossuponmossiswhatwearegoingfor.

2. Alternatetheemeraldgreenandchartreusemosses,clusteringlikecolorstocreateasenseofbalance.

3. Tieonaspooloffishinglineandplaceitonaclumpofmoss.Gentlystartwrappingat1-inchintervalstosecuretheplant.Thisisthesamewrappingtechniqueaswhenyouwrappedthecopperwiretomakeyourwreathbase.Thefishinglineeffectivelydisappearsintothemoss.Continueaddingonmoremoss,wrappinguntiltheentirewreathiscovered.

4. Tieoffthefishingline.Thiswreathcanhangimmediatelyafterconstruction.

CareofIrishandScotchMossWreath

TheIrishandScotchmosswreathprefersapartsunandpartshadelocation.Waterthewreaththoroughlybysubmergingitinwaterfortwotothreeminutesorbygivingalongandgentlesoakwithwaterfromahose.Letthewreathdrybetweenwatering,andrememberthatconsistencyiskey.

Ivy

Thehappyvariegatedwhite-and-greenleavesofivywillperkupanyareaofagarden.Whatawelcomingsiteonafrontdoororgardengate!

11-inchwreathbase15(3-inch)pottedvariegatedivyplants

PreppingtheIvyPlants

Beginbytakingtheivyplantsoutoftheplasticpots.Usingforceps,scrapeoffexcesssoiltoexposetheroots.Ivyplantsareusuallymadeupofsmallerivyshootsmassedtogether,whichallowsforeasilydividingtheentireplantintosmallersections.Smallerivyshootsaremucheasiertoplantintoyourwreaththanalargeivyplant.

PlantingtheIvy

1. Startwithadampenedwreathbase.

2. Withforcepsorascrewdriver,makeaholethroughthemossandintothecoreofthewreath-basesoil.

3. Graspthebaseoftheivyshootwithforcepsandgentlyplaceitintothehole,tuckingthedelicatestemsinside.Planttheshootspositionedalmostlyingonthewreathbaseopposedtoamoreuprightposition.You’llwanttoencouragetheivytogrowaroundthewreath,notupwards.

4. Pushthesurroundingmossaroundthestemtosecuretheplant.

5. Continueplantingaroundtheentirewreath,staggeringandspacingplantsevery3inchesforevencoverage.


PinningNewGrowth

Astheivyplantsgrowandfillin,youwillwanttopindownthenewlengthusingsomeU-shapedpins.Theplantswillobedientlyputanewrootdownatthecontact.Pruneunrulyleavestokeepaneattopiary-likewreath.

IvyWreathCare

Ivythrivesinlocationsoutofdirectsunlightandlovessoilthatiskeptevenlymoist.Wateryourwreathbyfullysubmergingitfortwotothreeminutesonetotwotimesaweekorgiveitalongandgentlesoakwithwaterfromagardenhose.

MixedVine

Thischarmingvinewreathisacombinationoflush,darkemeraldivy,angelvinewithitswirystemsandroundfoliage,andthedelicatevariegatedwhite-and-green-leafedcreepingfig.Therefinedappealofthiswreathevokesthoughtsofquaintcottageswithclimbingvinesunderneathwoodeneavesandalongrusticgardengates.

15-inchwreathbase6(3-inch)solidgreenivyplants6(3-inch)angelvineplants6(3-inch)variegatedcreepingfigplants

PlanningYourDesign

ThethreevarietiesIchoseformywreathlookamazingtogether,eachonecomplementingtheotherindifferentways.However,youcanjustassuccessfullyuseonesingletypeofplantforamoresimplisticwreath.Asolidangelvinewreathwouldbeabsolutelydelightful!

PreppingthePlants

1. Carefullyreleasetheplantsfromtheirplasticpots.

2. Usingforceps,scrapeoffexcessloosesoiltoexposetheroots.Onepottedivyplantismadeupofsmallerivyshootsmassedtogether,whichallowsforeasilydividingtheentireplantintosmallersections.Smallerivyshootsaremucheasiertoplantintoyourwreaththanalargeivyplant.Thefigandtheangelvinecan’tbeseparatedliketheivy,sosimplyaddintheentireplant.

Planting


2. Withforcepsorascrewdriver,makeaholethroughthemossintothecoreofthewreath-basesoil.

3. Graspthebaseoftheplantswithforcepsandgentlyplacethemintotheholes,tuckingthedelicatestemsinside.Staggerandspaceplantsevery2to3inchesaroundtheentirewreath,andbesuretoaddplantsontheoutersides.Iplantedalternatingwiththefig,ivy,andangelvineandthenrepeatedthatsamepatternforauniformdesign.


PinningNewGrowth

Asthevinesgrowandfillin,pindownthenewlengthusingsomeU-shapedpins.Pruneunrulyleavestokeepaneattopiary-likewreath.

Care

Thismixedvinelivingwreathneedstobekeptevenlymoistandprefersfilteredlight,andwillbehappyoutdoorsorinside.Thevariegatedcreepingfigcanbeabitofahigh-maintenancespecimenandwilltendtodevelopbrowncrispyedgesifnotmaintainedproperly.Thevariegatedcolorofthesmall,irregularpetal-shapedleavesisworththeextracare.Ifyouchoose,switchoutthefigformoreivyorangelvine,orevenfindanotherviningbeautytoadd.Wateryourwreathbyfullysubmergingitfortwotothreeminutesonetotwotimesaweekorgiveitalongandgentlesoakwithwaterfromagardenhose.

Strawberry

Addadashofcountrychictoanyspacewiththislivingstrawberrywreath.Theleavesonthestrawberryplantaddwonderfultexturepunctuatedbysweetwhiteblossomsandtendergreenandredberries.Harvestthestrawberriesthroughoutsummertoaddtoyourfavoritedishes,orpopthemdirectlyintoyourmouth.Thereisnothingquitelikethearomaandtasteofasun-ripenedstrawberryfreshlypicked!Thisearlysummerbloomerbeckonsfamilyandfriendsoutsidetoenjoyaglassofstrawberrylemonadeonthepatio.

11-inchwreathbase10strawberryplants

PlanningtheDesign

Youwillwanttopurchaseyoungstrawberryplants.Thiswillallowforeasyplantingintoawreath.Anystrawberryvarietywillworkwonderfully,butbesuretopickthehealthiest-lookingplants.

PreppingthePlants

Gentlyremovetheplantsfromtheirplasticpots.Ifplantsdon’tslideouteasily,givethesideofthepotasqueezeandcarefullypullouttheplant.Withforceps,knockoffexcesssoiltoexposetheroots.

PlantingtheStrawberries



3. Graspthebaseofastrawberryplantwithforcepsandgentlyplaceitintothehole,tuckingthestemsinside.

4. Pushthesurroundingmossaroundthestemstosecuretheplants.Staggerandspaceplants2inchesapart.

5. Strawberryplantssendoutlongvine-likestemsandleavescalledrunners.Thesecanbecomeabitunrulyandwillwildlydrapeoffyourwreath.PindownthelongstemswithU-shapedpinstotidyupthewreathandtokeepitlookingcircular.

6. Thiswreathshouldlayflatfortwotothreeweeksafterplantingtoallowforrootstotakeholdbeforehanging.

Care

Strawberriesthriveinfullsunandlovemoistsoil.Wateryourwreathbyfullysubmerginginwateronceortwiceaweekfortwotothreeminutesorwithalongandgentlesoakwithwaterfromagardenhose.Ifyouarewateringbyhose,sprayastreamofwateroverthewreath,waitafewminutesandthenrepeattheproceduretoallowthewreathtobecomefullysaturated.Drainwellbeforerehanging.

Whenthewreathfruits,theberrieswillneedprotectionfromsharp-eyedbirdsandothergardencritters.OnedayIhadlusciousredberriesripeningandthenextday,thewreathwaspickedclean.Sometimestheinevitablehappens,butyoucanhelppreventgardenthievesbycoveringyourfruitingwreathwithnetting,orjustwatchtheberriesandpickthemquicklyastheyripen.

Tomato

Thissummerstunnerdoesdoubledutywithanearthyscentandbeautifulgreenfoliagewithpopsofredandgreen.Abundantcherrytomatoesburstingwithsummersunshinewelcomevisitorsonthisleafywreath.

15-inchwreathbase18Supersweetplants

PlanningtheDesign

Lookforsmallcherrytomatoseedlingsoranytypeofdwarftomatoplantsthatarebredspecificallyforhangingbaskets.TheSupersweettomatovarietyIusedproducessmallbite-sizedbrightredfruits.Forevenmorecolorandvisualpunch,trymixinginanorangevarietysuchasSunGold.

PreppingthePlants

Smalltomatoseedlingsusuallycomeinsix-packplugs.Gentlysqueezethesidesoftheplasticcontainertoreleasethesmallplant.Usingyourforceps,scrapeofftheexcesssoiltoexposethedelicateroots.

PlantingtheTomatoes


2. Withforceps,awoodenskewerorascrewdriver,makeaholethroughthemossandintothecoreofthewreath-basesoil.

3. Twistingtheforcepsinacircularrotationwillreallyopenuptheholetoallowfortheplantstobeeasilyslippedinside.Tuckinanylooseordanglingrootswiththeforceps.

4. Staggerandspaceseedlings3to4inchesapartforevencoverage.

5. Onceallthetomatoesareplantedintothewreath,youwillnoticethattheyareallstandingverytallandupright.Youwillthink,howisthiswreathgoingtogrowandlookright?Giveitsometimeandallowfortheplantstoleafoutandgetalittleleggy.Oncethereismorelengthonthestems,thatplantswillnaturallywanttolayflat.Ifneeded,usesomeU-shapedpinstoholddownthestemsandleavestoallowthewreathshapetobevisible.


Care

Keepthistomatowreathwateredwellandinfullsunforbestresults.Waterthewreathbyfullysubmergingitinwatertwotothreetimesaweekorlettheweatherdictatehowoften.Ifyouhavetroublefindingalargeenoughcontainertofullysubmergethewreath,tryusingthelidfromalargemetalgarbagecanflippedover.Letthewreathsitinshallowwateruntilitsoaksenoughwatertosaturateitsmoss/soilbase,addingwaterifnecessary.Alongandgentlesoakwithwaterfromahosewillalsoworktowateranylivingwreath.HarvestyourbountyfromJulythroughSeptember.

Herb

Amixedherbwreathisappropriateforanyhomecookorgardenlover.Freshherbsareessentialingredientsforcookingtoaddflavortodifferentrecipes,ineithersweetorsavoryapplications.Useamixtureofyourfavoriteherbs,orcreateaHerbesdeProvencewreaththatincludesacombinationoforegano,thyme,savory,marjoram,basilandrosemary.Ifyouwanttogoinamoresimpledirection,asolidmintlivingwreathwouldbeexquisite,andjustthinkaboutthefragranceitwouldprovide!

9-inchwreathbaselemonthymemintthymebasilrosemarychivesparsleysagetarragon

Remembertopurchasesmallimmatureherbplantsthatcanbeeasilyplantedintothewreath.

PlanningtheDesign

Thinkaboutcolorandshapewhenselectingherbsforyourwreath.Whatwilllookgoodtogether?Whatwillprovidecontrastincolorandtexture?Whatherbswillyouactuallyuseandcookwith?Thevariegatedleavesoflemonthymedrapingalongthecurvingwreathbaselookselegantpositionednexttoadarkgreenspikedrosemary.Clustertwobasilplantsinoneareaofthewreathandanotherbasilplantacrossfromtheotherstocreatebalance.Asinglechiveplantcanbeseparatedintosmallersectionsofbulbsandplantedindifferentareastogivethatdesiredspillingeffect.Beforeyoustartplanting,arrangetheherbplantsonaworksurfacetocomeupwithagooddesignforthewreath.

PreppingtheHerbs

Gentlyremovetheherbplantsfromtheirplasticpots.Withforceps,gentlyscrapeoffexcesssoiltoexposetheroots.Ifyouleavetoomuchsoilclingingtotheroots,youmayhavetroublefittingtheplantintothewreathbase.

PlantingtheHerbs


2. Graspingthebaseoftheplantwithforceps,easeitintothehole,tuckingtherootsinside.Ifyouhavealargetangleofroots,patientlyanddelicatelyeasetherootsinside.Itmaytakesometime,butyouwillbeabletogetmostoftheminside.Don’tbeafraidifyouhavetoremoveasmallportionoftheroots.Theplantssometimesbenefitfromasmalltrimifthey’reveryroot-bound.

3. Staggerandspaceherbsabout2inchesapart.


Care

Herbspreferasunnyspotwithmoistsoil.Afterplanting,youmayneedtowatermorefrequentlyuntiltheplantsbecomemoreestablished,andeaseyourwreathintoafull-sunlocationtoreducetransplantshock.

Waterthewreathbyfullysubmergingitfortwotothreeminutesonetotwotimesaweekorgiveitalongandgentlesoakwithwaterfromagardenhose.

Harvestingandusingtheherbswillpromotenewgrowthandwillproduceahappyandhealthywreath.

Lettuce

Makealivingwreathoutofheirloomlettuceandyouwillalwayshaveasaladattheready!HeirloomvarietiessuchasRowdyRed,AllStars,TroutBackandMayQueenButterheadlookstunninginwreathform.Fromchartreusetospeckledgreenandred,theselettuceswillbebeautifulathomeatopyourpatiotable.

Lettucelovestogrowincoolertemperaturesandwilldopoorlyinhotclimates.Hotweathermakesforbittergreens.Thislettucelivingwreathisidealtoplantinthecoolerspringmonthsandonceagaininthefall.

15-inchwreathbaseMixtureofapproximately25seedlingplugs

PlanningtheDesign

Trymixingdifferentvarietiesinarandompatternorclustersimilarvarietiestogiveamorecolor-blockappearance.Regardlessofhowyouplant,whenthelettucegrowsin,youwillhaveawreathchock-fulloftastyruffledgreens.

PreppingtheLettuce

Removethedelicatelettuceplantsfromtheirplasticpotsandscrapeofftheexcesssoiltoexposetheroots.Diptherootsincoolwatertoremoveevenmoreoftheclingingsoil.

PlantingtheLettuce



3. Withforceps,graspthebaseoftheplantandinsertitintothehole,tuckingintheroots.Lettucedoesreallywellpackedinclosetogether,sospacingascloseas2inchesapartisfine.

4. Staggerthespacingsolettucewillfillinevenly.


HarvestingtheLettuce

Asthelettucegrows,cliptheouterleavesfirst,allowingforthetightcenterstokeepgrowingandopening.Thecenterswilleventuallyturnintolargedeliciouslettuceleaves,callingoutforsomehomemadebalsamicdressing.Lettucewillmatureandeventuallygrowalargecenterseedstalk.Thisisyoursignalthatthelettuceleavesarebitterandyourharvestisprettymuchover.

Care

Lettucelivingwreathsprefermorningsunandafternoonshade,alongwithmoistsoil.Towater,submergethewreathincoolwaterfortwotothreeminutestwotothreetimesaweek.Youcanalsogivethewreathalongandgentlesoakwithwaterfromagardenhose.Oncethelettuceshavestoppedproducing,gentlypulloutthespentplantsanddiscard.Youcanreplantinthesameholesoncecoolerweatherhasarrived.

Lavender

Ican’timaginemygardennothavinglavendersomewhere.Igrowthisscentedbeautyinnumerouslargeterracottapotsonmypatio;italsopeeksoutfromtheherbgardenandofcourseinalivingwreath.Lavenderiseasytogrow,withthesilverytuftsquitehappyintheirwreathhome.Whentherichpurpleheadsexplodewithcolor,I’mremindedofthespectacularpurplefieldsinFrance,theairheavywithscentatharvesttime.

Silverfoliageandaromaticpurplebloomsdeserveaplaceonasunnyfrontdoor.Afewheadspulledandcrushedwhilepassingbywillreleasescentedtranquility.

9-inchwreathbase8Englishlavenderplants5smallFrenchlavenderseedlings

PlanningtheDesign

IusedEnglishandFrenchvarietiesoflavenderinthislushwreath.TheFrenchvarietyhasparticularlyattractivegraygreennotchedleaves.WhenpairedwithEnglishlavender,varyingfoliagecolors,texturesandshapesareachieved.ThereisalsoalovelySpanishvarietythatbloomswithcurvingfeather-liketops.Purchasingsmallplantsandseedlingswithoutbloomswillallowyoutoeasilyplantthelavenderintoalivingwreath.ClustertwooftheEnglishlavenderplantsinfourdifferentareasofthewreath.MixinthesmallerFrenchlavenderontheoutsideandinsidecurves.

PreppingtheLavenderPlants

Releaseeachplantfromitsplasticpotand,withforceps,gentlyremovethesoilfromaroundtheroots.

PlantingtheLavender



3. Takethelavenderplantsandgentlyfitthemintotheholes,usingforcepstoeasetherootballinside.Pushdowngentlytosecuretheplantwell.

4. Laythiswreathflatfortwoweeksbeforehanging.

Care

Lavenderlovessunshineandwell-drainedsoil.Newlyplantedlavendercanbecomequitethirsty,somakesureyourwreathisgettingplentyofwateruntiltherootsbecomeestablished.Onetotwotimesaweek,fullysubmergethewreathinwaterfortwotothreeminutesorgiveitalongandgentlesoakofwaterfromagardenhose.

SpiderPlant

Theslenderleavesofthestripedgreen-and-whitespiderplantlovinglyembracethecurvedwreathbase.Asthelarger mother spiderplantscontinuetogrow,theywillshootoffsmaller baby plants,alsoknownasplantlets.Youcanclipthisnewgrowthandplantitintoanotherlivingwreath!

Spiderplantsarehardy,easy-to-care-forplantsandgrowhappilyinavarietyofclimates.Theyhavealsoproventobeveryeffectivewithclearingindoorairpollutants.

9-inchwreathbase7(3-inch)spiderplants

PreppingthePlants

Gentlyremovetheplantsfromtheirplasticpots.Usingforceps,scrapeofftheexcesssoiltoexposetheroots.Spiderplantshavewater-richtuberous-lookingrootsthatcanbeonthebulkyside,buteachplantcanbedividedintosmallmoremanageableplugs.Someoftherootsmaybreakoff.Don’tworry,though!Thiswillnotharmtheplant,andnewrootswillgrowratherquickly.

Planting



3. Staggerandspaceplantsevery2inches,evenlycoveringtheentirewreath.

4. Graspthebaseofeachplantwithforcepsandgentlyplaceitintoahole,tuckingthestemsinside.Duringplantingiswhenyouwillmostlikelybreakoffsomeofthetuberousroots.Theplantwilladaptjustfine;however,makesuretogetthebulkoftherootsplantedinsidethewreath.

5. UsesomeU-shapedpinstosecurearoundtherootsifaddedsupportisneededortoholddownflyawaylongerleaves.

6. Thiswreathshouldlayflatfortwoweeksbeforehanging.

Care

Bouffantspiderplantsaddtextureandbeautytoaninteriorroomwherelightissufficient.Aspiderplantwreathwillthriveinawarmlocationinahouseoutofdirectsunlight;harshsunexposurecanscorchthetenderleaves.Ontheotherhand,ifthewreathisnotgettingenoughsun,thevariegatedstripepatternandcolorwillfade.Forbestresults,hangthewreathnearawindowthatreceivesplentyofindirectlight.Frequentmistingwillgivethehumidityspiderplantslove.Ifanybrowningoccursonthetipsoftheleaves,simplygivethematrimwithsharpscissors.Allowsoilandmosstodryslightlybeforewatering.Fullysubmergethewreathinwateronceaweekorplaceitinasinkandgiveitagentlesoakwithwaterfromthefaucet.Drainthewreathwellbeforerehanging.

BegoniaandJade

Thelushandglossybronzepatinaofwaxbegoniasispairedwithgreenrosette-likeleavesofstrawberrybegoniasthathideablushingpinkundersideandplumpgreenleavesofjade.Togethertheyareshownofftoperfectioninalivingwreath.Waxbegoniasprovidebrilliantblooms,thestrawberrybegoniasdelivertextureandjadelendsanaturalrelaxedlook.

Strawberrybegoniassendoutnumerousthinrunnersthatwillproducesmallplantlets(similartostrawberryplants).Youcanclipthenewgrowthandpropagateintoanotherlivingwreath.

Thisbegoniaandjadewreathcanmakeahomeoutside,butitwillalsoflourishindoorswithbrightlight.Outsideorin,thiswreathwillbreathelifeintoanyspace.

9-inchwreathbase12smallbegonias5(3-inch)strawberrybegonias6jadecuttings

PreppingthePlants

Treatthejadeasyouwouldothersucculents,takingcuttingsandallowingthemtocallusoverfortwodayspriortoplanting.Onemediumjadeplantshouldyieldsixtoeightjadecuttings.

Thewaxbegoniaswereleafedwithoutanyblooms,whichallowsforeasyplantingintoawreath.Gentlyremovethebegoniaplantsfromtheirplasticpots.Usingforceps,scrapeofftheexcesssoiltoexposetheroots.

Planting



3. Graspthebaseoftheplantswiththeforcepsandcarefullyslipitinside,tuckingintheroots.

4. Staggerandspacebegoniasevery2to3inchesaroundthewreath,clusteringjadecuttingsaroundthebegonias.

5. UsesomeU-shapedpinstosecurejadecuttingsuntiltherootstakehold.

6. Thiswreathshouldlayflatafterplantingforfivetosixweeks,allowingrootstotakeformbeforehanging.

Care

Thisbegoniaandjadelivingwreathwillthriveoutdoorsinapartialsunlocation.Toomuchdirectsunlightmayburnthebegonialeaves.Towater,fullysubmergethewreathonceortwiceaweekfortwotothreeminutesorgiveitalongandgentlesoakwithwaterfromagardenhose.Thesoilwithinthiswreathlikestoremainmoist.Keepthewreathflatforfivetosixweeks,untilthejadecuttingshavetakenroot.

BronzeCloverandGroundCover

Getthesegroundcreepersoutfromunderfoottowheretheycanreallyshine!Pairingcomplementarycolorsmakethisuniquewreathashowstopper.Chocolateballsedumandbronzeclovercometolifewhenpairedwiththedelicatetrailingstemsofchartreusecreepingjenny.

15-inchwreathbase3creepingjenny2sedum3bronzeclovers

PlanningtheDesign

Ilovethelookofclusteringbrightlycoloredfoliagewithinalivingwreath,toallowotherdarkerplantstoreallypop.Igroupedthecreepingjennytogetherintwodifferentareasofthewreathandclusteredinthesedumandclovertoachieveasenseofbalance.Beforeplanting,layoutyourdesignonatabletop.

PreppingthePlants

Gentlyremovetheplantsfromtheirplasticpots.Usingforceps,scrapeoffexcesssoiltoexposetheroots.Thebronzecloverhasfairlyshallowrootsandcanbeeasilydividedintosmallersections.

Planting



3. Graspthebaseoftheplantswithforcepsandcarefullyslipitinside,tuckingintheroots.

4. Staggerandspaceplantsevery3inchesaroundthewreath.CreepingjennyisaviningbeautyandwillneedtobesecuredusingU-shapedpinstokeepitlookingorderly.

5. Thiswreathshouldlayflatfortwoweeksbeforehanging.

Care

Thislivingwreathwillbeatitshappiestinapartialsunlocation.Keepitmoistuntiltherootsbecomeestablished.Fullysubmergethewreathinwateronetotwotimesaweekfortwotothreeminutesorgiveitalongandgentlesoakofwaterfromagardenhose.

Inwarmerclimates,thiswreathwillrequirealittlemoreshade.Incoolerclimates,itwillneedmoresun.It’salsofuntonotethatthebronzecloverwillbecomeredderinthesunandgreenerintheshade.

LeafyHouseplant

It’sthedeadofwinterandyouneedsomethingaliveandgreeninthehousetogiveyouhopeforspring’sarrival.Thegardencentersarebareandyouneedtogetyourhandsonsomeplantspronto!Checkthehouseplantsectionoflocalgrocerystoresandyou’llmostlikelyfindanicearrayofleafyhouseplants.Pickeighttoten3-inchplantsandmakeaninexpensiveandaccessiblewreathanytimeofyear.Ikeepmyleafyringonacoffeetableatopapotteryplatetokeepthetableprotectedfromanymoisture.It’sthrivingandaddsalivingtouchthateachroomdeserves.

Thefollowingplantsinspiredmetocreatethisleafyhouseplantlivingwreath.

9-inchwreathbase3Polka-dotplants:Beautifulmarbledgreen,whiteandpinkleaves2aluminumplants:Darkgreenfoliagelooksasifithasbeenbrushedwithmetallicsilver

paint2pileas(pronounced/py-lee-uh/):Thickleaveswithaburgundy-copperysheenhave

depressedveins,givingaquiltedappearance2strawberrybegonias:Greenrosette-likeleavesshowablushingpinkunderside

PlanningTheDesign

Ifyoucan’tfindtheexactvarietieslistedabove,therearesuretobeotherwonderfulsmallhouseplantvarietiesavailable.Alwayspurchasesmallhealthy-lookingplantsthatwillthriveinthesameenvironment,fromsoiltolightconditions.

PreppingthePlants

Gentlyremovetheplantsfromtheirplasticpots.Usingforceps,scrapeoffexcesssoiltoexposetheroots.

Planting



3. Graspthebaseoftheplantwithforcepsandgentlyslidetherootballinside.Tuckinanylooseroots,andpushthesurroundingmossdownaroundthebaseoftheplanttosecure.

4. Clusterthepileaplantstogetherandthenmixtheothervarietiesallthewayaroundthewreath,rememberingtokeepasenseofbalance.Staggerandspaceplantsevery3inches.

5. Laythiswreathflatfortwoweeksbeforehangingtoallowtherootstotakehold.

Care

Thisleafyhouseplantlivingwreathwilldobestinamediumfilteredlightlocation.Toomuchsunwilldamagethelushandtenderfoliage.Keepthewreathconsistentlymoistbyfullysubmergingitinwaterfortwotothreeminutesonceortwiceaweek.Youcanalsogivethewreathalongandgentlesoakinakitchensink.Trimanybrowningleavesandpinchbacknewgrowthtokeepthewreathmoremanicured.Houseplantspreferamonthlymildliquidfertilizertokeepthemlookingtheirbest.

Documents

Living Wreaths: 20 Beautiful Projects for Gift and Decor