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Living Wreaths

© Diana Pederson

March is often the height of spring fever for gardeners. For those of us in the north, it really is still too cold to do anything constructive outside but we are yearning to get our hands in the soil again. To help alleviate some of the "spring fever symptoms", I'd like to suggest you begin creating living wreaths.

Supplies needed:

2 wreath frames--size is your choice florist tape florist pins long fiber spaghum moss or sheets of green moss--your choice soilless potting media plants

Your choice of plants will determine when you actually purchase them. If using annuals or herbs, you will have to wait until they become available in nurseries for the coming season. You can also use houseplants which are available any time.

Procedure

1. Layer either spaghum moss or place sheets of green moss to form the outside of the wreath. Be sure to leave the center hollow. Do this for each half of the wreath.

2. Fill one wreath form with soilless potting media.

3. Place the other half on top of the filled wreath half.

4. Hook the two halves together using florist tape. Wire is often recommended but I find this rots before the season is over causing the wreath to fall apart. I wrap the florist tape around both the outside and inside edges of the wreath forms.

5. Once you have purchased the plants, plant them in holes punched in the wreath form with a pencil or wooden dowel. Be sure to pack the potting media over the roots. NOTE: If using succulents such as sedum, you may simply place unrooted cuttings in the wreath form. It only takes a couple of weeks for them to be well rooted.

6. Water your wreath thoroughly being sure the potting media is moistened. You can continue to water it by soaking it in a bowl of water or spraying it gently with the hose. Since it hangs, it will dry out much quicker than your in-ground or even container plants do. Don't neglect watering just because your garden doesn't need it.

7.If you want to use this for an indoor decoration (with house plants), I suggest placing it on a clear plastic dish just deep enough to hold the wreath.

If the wreath will be hung from a porch railing, fence, or door, you need to securely attach a wire hanger to the top of the wreath. This enables you to hang it on a nail or other hanger.

This website [http://www.shadowlink.net/~jill/wreath.h... provides different directions from the way I make my wreaths. Live Oak Farms illustrates several types of living wreaths and is a source for wreath forms if your local nursery doesn't carry them.

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