Spreading holiday cheer doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. Wreaths make a festive statement and they can be created with items from your own home. All it takes are some plants, a few craft supplies and some imagination.
Succulent wreath
Succulents are perfect for using in wreaths because they continue to live in your arrangement. These wreaths also promote xeriscape gardening, or growing plants that require small amounts of water.
What you’ll need
Craft supplies
- Grapevine wreath
- Stem wire
Plants
- Spanish moss (also known as Pele’s hair)
- Air plants
Note: Instead of purchasing a grapevine wreath, you can create your own using lilikoi vine. Artificial versions of the plants can be used and are available at most craft supply stores.
Directions
First, place the Spanish moss on the grapevine wreath. Use enough of the moss so that you cannot see the underlying wreath. Attach the moss with stem wire.
Next, arrange air plants on the moss and attach with stem wire.
Finally, use stem wire to attach a decorative bow.
Note: To keep the plants alive, remove bow and soak the wreath in water every one to three weeks, depending on temperature and lighting.
Ti leaf wreath
Ti leaf plants are found in abundance in Hawaii yards. If you don’t have any in your yard, odds are your neighbor probably does. Ti leaves are often displayed near doorways and entrances as Hawaiians believe they bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.
What you’ll need
Craft supplies
- Straw wreath
- Wired wood picks
Plants
- Ti leaves
- Flowers
Note: The flowers used should contrast against the green ti leaves. Try using red ti leaves to create ti leaf roses, orchid flowers, or red torch ginger flowers.
Directions
First cut ti leaves in half and remove the center rib. Take one end of the ti leaf and make a 2 1/2-inch fold over the wired wood pick. Secure it to the wood pick with wire and cut the excess. Create enough of them to cover half of the wreath.
Next bend the ti leaf rib to create a 3-inch loop. Secure it to the wood pick with wire and cut the excess. Create five to 10 of these, depending on the size of your wreath.
Secure your flowers to the wood pick with wire. There should be enough flowers to cover half of the wreath.
Begin covering the straw wreath by inserting the ti leaf picks at an angle. Stagger the placement of the ti leaf picks to ensure the underlying straw wreath cannot be seen. Continue until half of the wreath is covered.
Then cover the remaining half with the flower picks. Again, inserting them at an angle and stagger placement to ensure full coverage of the wreath.
Finally, evenly insert the ti leaf rib picks among the flower half of the wreath. The rib picks create depth and texture.
Depending on the size and weight of your wreaths, they can be displayed using stem wire or picture hanging wire.
