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Florida Flowers Part 2

© Vickie Ferguson

Florida flora, what a mixture of species this state has to offer. From the slash pine found in the woods, cattails in the marshes, sea oats near the ocean, wildflowers by the rivers and an abundance of perennials flowering everywhere else, there is always something a-bloomin.

In this article, I would like to share a simple wreath design incorporating several of these lovely Florida beauties. This whimsical wreath can be used on your outdoor patio, screened porch, lanai or pool area. It’s quick and easy, fun and simple and Florida through and through.

First, here are the supplies needed. 1. Styrofoam wreath 12” or 16”, or larger, your choice. 2. Moss, (gray, beige, or green) 3. Dried larkspur 4. Dried Sea Oats 5. Cane Spirals 6. Leaf fronds, Reeds 7. Silk Hibiscus Beige (1 to 2) 8. Silk Hibiscus Red (1 to 2) 9. Small piece of driftwood 10. Raffia, Turquoise cloth ribbon, metallic gold ribbon. 11. Plastic Flamingos-2 (12” to 18”) depends on base size. 12. Assorted small flowers (white and pink) 13. Pods-4 (spray paint with turquoise paint) optional. 14. Pink feathers approximately 6”-8” in length (4-6) 15. A few green vine leaf’s (3 or 4) 16. Craft wire and Glue gun

Snippet: I’m using the primary colors of the red and beige hibiscus as the focal flowers surrounded by the smaller whites and pinks with the larkspur adding the beautiful blue. The sea oats and leaf fronds are the frame. The cane spirals add length to the design. You can substitute your favorite color. Example, deep orange or bright yellow hibiscus and offsetting miniature flowers. Keep the larkspur whatever color you select. Also, you can use a straw wreath base, without wrapping in cloth ribbon, if you prefer this affect.

We’re going to design a small tableau on this wreath. Here’s how to begin: First, if using the Styrofoam base, wrap the turquoise cloth ribbon around the wreath leaving the bottom quarter unwrapped. Next, center one of the flamingos with legs at the bottom of the wreath and the head taller than the top of the wreath. The bird should be facing outward. Wire the bird securely to the wreath. Use hot glue behind the neck and glue to the front of the wreath. Use hot glue where you wire the legs for extra strength. Next, place the second flamingo, which should be facing the opposite direction from the first, directly beneath the body of the first as though it is resting on the bottom inside rim of the wreath. Don’t worry about the “legs” hanging down from either of the flamingos, as they will meld in with the other hanging items. Wire and glue the same as for the first bird. Tie trailing pieces of turquoise and gold ribbon at the center bottom rim of the wreath. Approximately 5 pieces are needed with the 2 longest pieces hanging from the center (10” to 12”) and the remaining three at varying lengths and angles. Also, add a few strands of raffia to mix with the rest. These can be clipped if necessary. Check with Chelsea Farms at http://www.chelseafarms.com for their own home-grown sea oats and dried larkspur. For those of you not familar with flamingos or where to purchase them, try Sillygifts at http://www.sillygifts.com or Flamingo Mania at http://www.flamingomania.com or Flamingo Surprise at http://www.flamingosurprise.com.

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