How to Make a Flowering Living Wreath
Citrus-color violas complement this wreath's dominant bright orange and yellow pansies. Golden creeping Jenny has just the right bold contrast, and the white flowers of Nierembergia 'Laura' twinkle like tiny lights. Instead of trying to make a symmetrical arrangement, go for a balance of color and texture. Tuck plants into the sides of the wreath to make it look full and lush.
- Working Time 1 Hour
- Start to Finish 1 Hour
- Difficulty Projects Easy
- Involves Planting
What you need
Tools
- Garden trowel
Materials
- Pound of sheet moss
- Water
- 16-inch wreath form
- Potting soil
- 24 small plants; try a combination of plants in 4-inch pots and even smaller plants in four-packs
- Green florist wire
How to do it
Step 1 Line Form with Sheet Moss
Soak the sheet moss in water; drain until damp and pliable. Line the wreath form with the sheet moss, with green mossy side facing out, like fitting dough in a pie pan. Overlap pieces of moss and patch as you go.
Step 2 Fill Form with Potting Soil
Make sure the moss overlaps the upper edges of the form by a couple of inches. Fill the form about three-fourths full with potting soil.
Step 3 Arrange Plants
Arrange the nursery pots on top of the soil. When you're happy with your design, take the plants out of their pots one at a time and plant them.
Step 4 Plant Sides of Wreath Form
Give the wreath a full look by planting the sides, too. Poke holes through the sheet moss in three or four places around the sides of the form, and carefully insert a plant in each hole.
Step 5 Wrap Sheet Moss
Tuck the overlapping edges of the sheet moss around the crowns of the plants. The moss holds the plants in place until their roots grip. It also helps keep the soil from drying out.
Step 6 Secure with Florist Wire
Secure one end of the florist wire to the back of the wreath form. Wrap wire all around the wreath in a spiral pattern. Cut the wire and twist the end onto the form. Attach a short length of doubled wire to the form as a hanger; attach several more lengths so the wreath can be turned.
Editor's Tip: To water wreath, place wreath on ground and gently water with a watering can. Depending on weather temperatures, you may need to water the wreath 1-3 times a week. Let dry a few hours to overnight before hanging.
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1 Comment
- halfnelson79079July 28, 2018Difficulty: Kind of easy
First time I have used the Bunt pan type wire wreath, which made the process easier. The only reason I did not give the project Very Easy is me, seems the older I get the less patients I have especially working with my hands! With inanimate objects one can work at a slower pace or, walk away for awhile. Not so with anything living. The finished wreath is quite lovely!raf