Creating a wreath for the holiday season
Floral wreaths are brilliant decorations that bring the beauty of the outdoors, inside. It is a great project to do over the holiday period (especially with children) and you don’t need any expert skills or knowledge to make something amazing. Just give it a go!
What You’ll Need:
Floral wire
Twine
Wreath frame - this can be willow, straw or wire
Fresh or dried flowers (choose a mix of blooms, greenery, and fillers like berries or ivy)
Scissors or floral snips
Step 1: Choose Your Flowers and Foliage
Start by selecting the flowers, greenery, and fillers that you want to incorporate into your wreath. The choice of flowers depends on the season and the style you want, and your personal preferences. I like using dried flowers and foliage because I like the autumnal look and dried wreaths last a lot longer too.
Step 2: Prepare Your Base
Start with a wreath frame, which is usually a ring made out of willow or straw. These come in a variety of sizes. Tie one end of your twine or string around the wreath, leaving it connected to the ball. You will wind the string around the length of your wreath and tighten as you add your foliage and flowers.
Step 3: Start With Greenery
Create small bundles of base foliage and tie them together with your twine. I would suggest at least fourteen to sixteen bundles for a medium size wreath. In the dried wreath I created I used Wheat and Eucalyptus for these bundles. Secure each bundle to the wreath frame by using the twine you tied to it earlier, making sure that they are on tightly. Layer the greenery around the frame, making sure the ends of the stems are hidden and the foliage flows naturally in the same direction. Cut the ball of twine free and tie up once all your bundles are attached.
Step 4: Add the Flowers
Once you’ve created a base with greenery and foliage, it’s time to add your flowers. Start by placing larger blooms first, positioning them in the wreath to create focal points. Work in sections, adding flowers at equal intervals around the wreath. Secure each stem in place with floral wire or twine.
When positioning your flowers, vary the heights and angles to create depth and interest. It’s important to balance the colours as you go. If you're using multiple flower types, try to keep a harmonious flow so that no one flower overwhelms the others.
Step 5: Fill in the Gaps
After your main flowers are in place, look for any gaps in the wreath and fill them with smaller filler flowers, additional greenery or decorations like dried fruit or seed heads. There are lots of choices in Søstrene Grene at Festival Place. I like using pine cones. Use these smaller elements to add layers of interest and balance out the composition.
Step 6: Secure and Adjust
Once you’re happy with the arrangement, make sure everything is securely attached. Use floral tape to reinforce any stems that are too loose, and trim any excess wire.
Step back and take a look at the wreath from different angles to ensure it looks balanced and full. If there are any spots that need more texture or colour, now is the time to adjust.
Step 7: Display Your Floral Wreath
Your beautiful floral wreath is now ready to hang! Choose a spot that will show it off—whether it’s on your front door, above the mantelpiece, or as a center-piece on a dining table. If you're using fresh flowers, keep the wreath in a cool, dry place to help it last longer. If you have created a dried flower wreath you can keep topping it up with flowers all year round if you like.
Once you have finished with it, place it somewhere outside to rot down as it will make a brilliant habitat for bugs.
Leigh - Festival Place's Gardening Guru
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