living wreaths : step by step instructions for making 20 beautiful wreaths
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LivingWreaths
20BeautifulProjectsforGiftsandDécor
NatalieBernhiselRobinson
PhotographsbySusanBarnsonHayward
LIVINGWREATHS
20BEAUTIFULPROJECTSFORGIFTSANDDÉCORDIGITALEDITION1.0
Text©2014NatalieBernhiselRobinsonPhotographs©2014SusanBarnsonHaywardAllrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedbyanymeanswhatsoeverwithoutwrittenpermissionfromthe
publisher,exceptbriefportionsquotedforpurposeofreview.
GibbsSmithP.O.Box667
Layton,Utah84041
Orders:1.800.835.4993www.gibbs-smith.comISBN: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.Pulloffelaborateflower
arrangementsforawedding—noproblem,butwriteabook!?(Gasp!)Ihadtokeeprepeating,“IthinkIcan,IthinkIcan,IthinkIcan,”andguesswhat,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.
Introduction
“Theonlydifferencebetweenanextraordinarylifeandanordinaryoneistheextraordinarypleasuresyoufindinordinarythings.”
—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-wiredwreathsofevergreens
outdoorsin,tocreateabotanicalwonderland.Hand-wiredwreathsofevergreensandpineconesfilleachwindowanddoorfront.Wreathmakingreleasesagloriousfreshscentasyouworkandcreatesamagnificentdecoration.Ifindgreatpleasureinadorningmyhomewithsuchfragranceandbeauty,andfinditawarmandwelcomingwaytogreetgatheringsoffamilyandfriendsduringthecoldestwintermonths.
Decemberalsobringsaboutmyannualwreath-makingclasses.Itstartedoutwithonlyafewstudentsandquicklygrew.Ifindthatmostpeoplearedelightedintakingnature’sbountyandmakingcreationsthatdecorateourhomesandsurroundings,andtopossiblygifttofriendsandfamily.Theappealofusingnaturalmaterialsisthatyouareimmediatelybestowedwithanexquisitecolorschemethatisatonewiththesurroundings.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.
Soil
Forsucculentandcactuslivingwreaths,Ilikeusingasoilmadespecificallyfortheselow-watervarieties.Otherwreathswillbenefitfromastandardpottingsoilwithanaddedfertilizer.Ifalivingwreathistosustainflowers,fruitandlushgreenfoliage,thedemandsfornutrientsandwaterwillexceedthatofasucculentwreath.Polymerwater-retainingcrystalsarecapableofholdingapproximately200timestheirweightinwater,andtheyareidealformoisture-lovingplants.Polymersareinexpensiveandcanbefoundinthegardensectionofyourlocalgardenstore.Followthemanufacturer’srecommendedamountsonthepackage,andaddthemtothequantityofsoilsuggestedbelow.Thewater-retainingpolymersaremixedintothemoistsoilanhourbeforeplantingtoallowfull
polymersaremixedintothemoistsoilanhourbeforeplantingtoallowfullabsorptionofthewater.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—60inchesofwire18-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
Spreadplasticsheetingoranunusedlargegarbagebagtocovertheworksurface
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-like
fortwodayspriortowreathconstruction.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.Youcanmakelargerpinstosecurelargersucculents.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.Aslowdribblefromthehoseisaneffective
beautifullyrootedsucculentsloose.Aslowdribblefromthehoseisaneffectivewreath-wateringprocedure,providedthatit’sdoneataslowandgentleratewithrepeatedapplications.Succulentsdonottolerateoverwateringormistinginparticularalongwithmostotherplantsingeneral.Makesuretodrainthoroughlybeforeyourehang.
HangingLocation
Thinkaboutwhereyouwanttohangasucculentwreath.Succulentscanlookdifferentandvaryincolorandtexturedependingonsunexposure.Isuggestkeepingyournewlyconstructedwreathinbrightlightbutoutofdirectsunlightforoneweekandthengraduallyintroduceittofullexposure.However,wreathsmightbenefitmostinpartialshadefromthemiddaysun.Tobeonthesafeside,protectallsucculentwreathsfromfreezingtemperatures.Brightlightisgenerallyarequirementforthehealthygrowthofsucculentwreaths,withprotectionfrommiddaysuninintenseheat.Thesamebright-lightneedsexistforindoorsucculentwreaths.
Echeveria
Thesimplicityofthesea-glass-blueecheveriaisstunning.Thisvarietyisfoundatmostgardencenters,soputtingtogetheralivingwreathwillbeasnap!Iused6to7plantsforasimplewreathdesign,withsomeofthemossbaseexposed.Foranevenmorestrikingdisplay,completelyfillthewreathwithsolidecheveria.Thelargerosettescanberatherheavy,somakesuretosecuretherootswithU-shapedpins.Foraddedsupport,youcanpindownsomeoftheunderleavesusingthestraddletechnique.Rootscanalsobecutofffromtheecheveriaandallowedtocallusoverandrootagainwhilesnugglyplantedinthewreathbase.
11-inchwreathbase
MixedSucculent1
Thevariousshapes,colorsandtexturesofthesesucculentsmakemyheartgopitter-patter.Iassureyouplantingsucculentcuttingswillnotbedifficult,butitwilltakesometime,sobepatientandhavefuncreatingthisuniquepieceofart.
9-inchwreathbaseApproximately100cuttings
HensandChicks
Hensandchicksareoneofmyall-timefavoritesucculentvarieties.Ihavethem
Hensandchicksareoneofmyall-timefavoritesucculentvarieties.Ihavethemgrowingallovermyyardandspillingoutofnumerouspotsandcontainers.Theyareveryhappygroupedtogetherandwillspreadnicely.Thedeepgreygreenrosetteswithrosyredcenterspopnexttothebrightgreenvariety.Takesomeofthenew-growthchicksandstartanewwreath!
11-inchwreathbase9to10(3-inch)succulents(withanyextrachicksgrowingoffeachmotherplant)
MixedSucculent2
Inthismoremodern-lookingwreath,Igroupedlikesucculentsinthicksections
Inthismoremodern-lookingwreath,Igroupedlikesucculentsinthicksectionsaroundthecircularform.Thesinglelarge,ruffledpink-edgedsucculentmakesforabeautifulfocalpoint.
9-inchwreathbase10to12(2-inch)succulents
SucculentandFlower
Thefleshysucculentsinjuxtapositionwiththedelicatebloomsofalyssummakeabeautifulpairing.
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.Otherflowervarietiesthatworkbeautifullyin
colorssuityourmoodorgarden.Otherflowervarietiesthatworkbeautifullyinlivingwreathsarepansy,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,andinhotweatheraweeklyfertilizer
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-planyourcactuswreath
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.Soak
Afterplanting,waterweeklyforonemonthuntilrootsbecomeestablished.Soakthewreathwithaslowandgentledribblefromthehoseuntilcompletelymoistandthendrainwell.Cactuseslovetheheatandsunandareverydroughttolerant,sothiswreathwillbehappyoutdoors.Thewreathwilllookitsbestwithregularwateringinhottermonths.Cactusesalsothriveindoorswithplentyoflightandrequireverylittlewatering.
Moss
NaturalMoss
Softvelvetpillowsofgreenmosslookexquisiteinwreathform.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.
IrishandScotchMoss
ThedensetuftsandshaggytextureoftheIrishandScotchmossesremindmeofanoldpatchworkquilt.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.
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.
6. Thiswreathshouldremainflatfortwoweeksbeforehanging.
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
1. Startwithadampenedwreathbase.
2. Withforcepsorascrewdriver,makeaholethroughthemossintothecoreofthewreath-basesoil.
3. Graspthebaseoftheplantswithforcepsandgentlyplacethemintotheholes,tuckingthedelicatestemsinside.Staggerandspaceplantsevery2to3inchesaroundtheentirewreath,andbesuretoaddplantsontheoutersides.Iplantedalternatingwiththefig,ivy,andangelvineandthenrepeatedthatsamepatternforauniformdesign.
4. Thiswreathshouldremainflatfortwoweeksbeforehanging.
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
1. Startwithadampenedwreathbase.
2. Withforcepsorascrewdriver,makeaholethroughthemossandintothecoreofthewreath-basesoil.
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.TheSupersweettomatovarietyIused
arebredspecificallyforhangingbaskets.TheSupersweettomatovarietyIusedproducessmallbite-sizedbrightredfruits.Forevenmorecolorandvisualpunch,trymixinginanorangevarietysuchasSunGold.
PreppingthePlants
Smalltomatoseedlingsusuallycomeinsix-packplugs.Gentlysqueezethesidesoftheplasticcontainertoreleasethesmallplant.Usingyourforceps,scrapeofftheexcesssoiltoexposethedelicateroots.
PlantingtheTomatoes
1. Startwithadampenedwreathbase.
2. Withforceps,awoodenskewerorascrewdriver,makeaholethroughthemossandintothecoreofthewreath-basesoil.
3. Twistingtheforcepsinacircularrotationwillreallyopenuptheholetoallowfortheplantstobeeasilyslippedinside.Tuckinanylooseordanglingrootswiththeforceps.
4. Staggerandspaceseedlings3to4inchesapartforevencoverage.
5. Onceallthetomatoesareplantedintothewreath,youwillnoticethattheyareallstandingverytallandupright.Youwillthink,howisthiswreathgoingtogrowandlookright?Giveitsometimeandallowfortheplantstoleafoutandgetalittleleggy.Oncethereismorelengthonthestems,thatplantswillnaturallywanttolayflat.Ifneeded,usesomeU-shapedpinstoholddownthestemsandleavestoallowthewreathshapetobevisible.
6. Thiswreathshouldremainflatfortwoweeksbeforehanging.
Care
Keepthistomatowreathwateredwellandinfullsunforbestresults.Waterthe
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
1. Withforcepsorascrewdriver,makeaholethroughthemossandintothecoreofthewreath-basesoil.
2. Graspingthebaseoftheplantwithforceps,easeitintothehole,tuckingtherootsinside.Ifyouhavealargetangleofroots,patientlyanddelicatelyeasetherootsinside.Itmaytakesometime,butyouwillbeabletogetmostoftheminside.Don’tbeafraidifyouhavetoremoveasmallportionoftheroots.Theplantssometimesbenefitfromasmalltrimifthey’reveryroot-bound.
3. Staggerandspaceherbsabout2inchesapart.
4. Thiswreathshouldremainflatfortwoweeksbeforehanging.
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.
lettucegrowsin,youwillhaveawreathchock-fulloftastyruffledgreens.
PreppingtheLettuce
Removethedelicatelettuceplantsfromtheirplasticpotsandscrapeofftheexcesssoiltoexposetheroots.Diptherootsincoolwatertoremoveevenmoreoftheclingingsoil.
PlantingtheLettuce
1. Startwithadampenedwreathbase.
2. Withforcepsorascrewdriver,makeaholethroughthemossandintothecoreofthewreath-basesoil.
3. Withforceps,graspthebaseoftheplantandinsertitintothehole,tuckingintheroots.Lettucedoesreallywellpackedinclosetogether,sospacingascloseas2inchesapartisfine.
4. Staggerthespacingsolettucewillfillinevenly.
5. Thiswreathshouldremainflatfortwoweeksbeforehanging.
HarvestingtheLettuce
Asthelettucegrows,cliptheouterleavesfirst,allowingforthetightcenterstokeepgrowingandopening.Thecenterswilleventuallyturnintolargedeliciouslettuceleaves,callingoutforsomehomemadebalsamicdressing.Lettucewill
lettuceleaves,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.TheFrench
IusedEnglishandFrenchvarietiesoflavenderinthislushwreath.TheFrenchvarietyhasparticularlyattractivegraygreennotchedleaves.WhenpairedwithEnglishlavender,varyingfoliagecolors,texturesandshapesareachieved.ThereisalsoalovelySpanishvarietythatbloomswithcurvingfeather-liketops.Purchasingsmallplantsandseedlingswithoutbloomswillallowyoutoeasilyplantthelavenderintoalivingwreath.ClustertwooftheEnglishlavenderplantsinfourdifferentareasofthewreath.MixinthesmallerFrenchlavenderontheoutsideandinsidecurves.
PreppingtheLavenderPlants
Releaseeachplantfromitsplasticpotand,withforceps,gentlyremovethesoilfromaroundtheroots.
PlantingtheLavender
1. Startwithadampenedwreathbase.
2. Withforcepsorascrewdriver,makeaholethroughthemossandintothecoreofthewreath-basesoil.
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,buteachplantcanbedividedintosmallmore
rootsthatcanbeonthebulkyside,buteachplantcanbedividedintosmallmoremanageableplugs.Someoftherootsmaybreakoff.Don’tworry,though!Thiswillnotharmtheplant,andnewrootswillgrowratherquickly.
Planting
1. Startwithadampenedwreathbase.
2. Withforcepsorascrewdriver,makeaholethroughthemossandintothecoreofthewreath-basesoil.
3. Staggerandspaceplantsevery2inches,evenlycoveringtheentirewreath.
4. Graspthebaseofeachplantwithforcepsandgentlyplaceitintoahole,tuckingthestemsinside.Duringplantingiswhenyouwillmostlikelybreakoffsomeofthetuberousroots.Theplantwilladaptjustfine;however,makesuretogetthebulkoftherootsplantedinsidethewreath.
5. UsesomeU-shapedpinstosecurearoundtherootsifaddedsupportisneededortoholddownflyawaylongerleaves.
6. Thiswreathshouldlayflatfortwoweeksbeforehanging.
Care
Bouffantspiderplantsaddtextureandbeautytoaninteriorroomwherelightissufficient.Aspiderplantwreathwillthriveinawarmlocationinahouseoutofdirectsunlight;harshsunexposurecanscorchthetenderleaves.Ontheother
directsunlight;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
1. Startwithadampenedwreathbase.
2. Withforcepsorascrewdriver,makeaholethroughthemossandintothecoreofthewreath-basesoil.
3. Graspthebaseoftheplantswiththeforcepsandcarefullyslipitinside,tuckingintheroots.
4. Staggerandspacebegoniasevery2to3inchesaroundthewreath,clusteringjadecuttingsaroundthebegonias.
5. UsesomeU-shapedpinstosecurejadecuttingsuntiltherootstakehold.
6. Thiswreathshouldlayflatafterplantingforfivetosixweeks,allowingrootstotakeformbeforehanging.
Care
Thisbegoniaandjadelivingwreathwillthriveoutdoorsinapartialsunlocation.Toomuchdirectsunlightmayburnthebegonialeaves.Towater,fullysubmergethewreathonceortwiceaweekfortwotothreeminutesorgiveitalongandgentlesoakwithwaterfromagardenhose.Thesoilwithinthiswreathlikesto
gentlesoakwithwaterfromagardenhose.Thesoilwithinthiswreathlikestoremainmoist.Keepthewreathflatforfivetosixweeks,untilthejadecuttingshavetakenroot.
BronzeCloverandGroundCover
Getthesegroundcreepersoutfromunderfoottowheretheycanreallyshine!Pairingcomplementarycolorsmakethisuniquewreathashowstopper.Chocolateballsedumandbronzeclovercometolifewhenpairedwiththedelicatetrailingstemsofchartreusecreepingjenny.
15-inchwreathbase3creepingjenny2sedum3bronzeclovers
PlanningtheDesign
Ilovethelookofclusteringbrightlycoloredfoliagewithinalivingwreath,toallowotherdarkerplantstoreallypop.Igroupedthecreepingjennytogetherintwodifferentareasofthewreathandclusteredinthesedumandclovertoachieveasenseofbalance.Beforeplanting,layoutyourdesignonatabletop.
PreppingthePlants
Gentlyremovetheplantsfromtheirplasticpots.Usingforceps,scrapeoffexcesssoiltoexposetheroots.Thebronzecloverhasfairlyshallowrootsandcanbeeasilydividedintosmallersections.
Planting
1. Startwithadampenedwreathbase.
2. Withforcepsorascrewdriver,makeaholethroughthemossandintothecoreofthewreath-basesoil.
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:Darkgreenfoliagelooksasifithasbeenbrushedwithmetallicsilverpaint
2pileas(pronouncedpy-lee-uh):Thickleaveswithaburgundy-copperysheenhavedepressedveins,givingaquiltedappearance
2strawberrybegonias:Greenrosette-likeleavesshowablushingpinkunderside
PlanningTheDesign
Ifyoucan’tfindtheexactvarietieslistedabove,therearesuretobeotherwonderfulsmallhouseplantvarietiesavailable.Alwayspurchasesmallhealthy-lookingplantsthatwillthriveinthesameenvironment,fromsoiltolightconditions.
PreppingthePlants
Gentlyremovetheplantsfromtheirplasticpots.Usingforceps,scrapeoffexcesssoiltoexposetheroots.
Planting
1. Startwithadampenedwreathbase.
2. Withforcepsorascrewdriver,makeaholethroughthemossandintothecoreofthewreath-basesoil.
3. Graspthebaseoftheplantwithforcepsandgentlyslidetherootballinside.Tuckinanylooseroots,andpushthesurroundingmossdownaroundthebaseoftheplanttosecure.
4. Clusterthepileaplantstogetherandthenmixtheothervarietiesallthewayaroundthewreath,rememberingtokeepasenseofbalance.Staggerandspaceplantsevery3inches.
5. Laythiswreathflatfortwoweeksbeforehangingtoallowtherootstotakehold.
Care
Thisleafyhouseplantlivingwreathwilldobestinamediumfilteredlightlocation.Toomuchsunwilldamagethelushandtenderfoliage.Keepthewreathconsistentlymoistbyfullysubmergingitinwaterfortwotothreeminutesonceortwiceaweek.Youcanalsogivethewreathalongandgentlesoakinakitchensink.Trimanybrowningleavesandpinchbacknewgrowthtokeepthewreathmoremanicured.Houseplantspreferamonthlymildliquidfertilizertokeepthemlookingtheirbest.
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