Make a Holiday Wreath

By Sharon Hanna | Image: Terry Guscott
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Wreath_Making_5h.jpg

What You Need:

Metal or plastic wreath ring, wreath wrap and florist string (not cheap, but doesn’t slip) – all available from florist shops; plant material cut into 15- to 20-cm (6- to 8-in.) stems; gloves if you’re working with holly.






Wind the wreath wrap

Putting it Together:

1. Wind the wreath wrap (you could also use green garbage bags, cut in strips) loosely, allowing wrap to sink into groove. You are creating a container for the wet moss, so make sure the edges overlap.





Make bundles of greenery





2. Make bundles of greenery. Hold the bundle firmly, two-thirds of the way down, NOT at the bottom. Wrap the stem end of the bundle in a good-sized clump of very wet moss.





Place the moss-wrapped bundle





3. Place the moss-wrapped bundle into the groove, tying it with florist string. Alternate the bundles in a herringbone pattern, kitty-corner to one another. Press them in firmly, almost bending in the middle. This creates fullness.





Lift the wreath to test





4. After you’ve tied on a number of bundles, lift the wreath vertically to mimic placement on a door. If the greenery flops forward your bundles are probably too long.





Continue to alternate greenery bundles





5. Continue to alternate bundles, tying them in firmly.


Comments

These ornaments look great, I never been too good to these things. I guess it's high time I should learn because Mothers Day is approaching and I want to make a nice flower ornament for my mom, she deserves much more than that.

May 7, 2008 at 12:57
gerrard28 Says

Dear Liz:

Spagnum moss is a very special moss that grows in water. Folks often use that name incorrectly for the terrestrial mosses used in horticulture. As a biologist, I prefer to recommend materials other than our wild mosses, whatever the species. I personally use florist foam (such as Oasis) for a wreath rather than moss for practical and environmental reasons. It can be reused as well. The same goes for hanging baskets -- I've been advocating moss alternatives for about 15 years. Having said that, if you own a piece of property (or a roof!) that has moss in abundance, by all means harvest your own moss.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Jones

February 18, 2008 at 15:01
ybc Says

This article doesn't mention moss under "Supplies" nor does it say where this can be found. I understood sphagnum moss is a protected species and one is not allowed to harvest this by oneself. I assume, therefore, you would have to buy it at a florist/garden supply store? Or is there another variety of moss you could use that you CAN find and harvest in local forests?
Liz
Qualicum Beach, BC

November 20, 2007 at 11:19
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