DIY Dried Lavender Wreaths

Dried lavender wreaths have a calming, soothing effect.

Lavender has a light, fresh fragrance often used in aromatherapy because of its soothing, sedative effects. In addition to its remedial qualities, lavender has attractive light purple blossoms that complement many floral arrangements. You can create a dried or lavender wreath to benefit from the plant’s beauty and scent. Dried lavender wreaths last longer than fresh arrangements, but the brittle flowers and stems are challenging to work with.

Things You'll Need

• Sharp scissors or floral shears
• Rubber band
• Hook or paperclip
• 2 wire hangers or wreath frame
• Floral tape
• Floral wire
• Ribbon

Instructions

Drying the Lavender

1. Cut four or five bundles of lavender so that the diameter of each bundle of stems is about the size of a quarter. Each cut piece should have a stem four to eight inches long.

2. Wrap a rubber band around each bundle, about an inch from the base of the stems. Slip a hook or a paper clip bent in the shape of a hook through the rubber band.

3. Hang the lavender from the hooks in a cool, dark, dry place to allow it to dry out for at least a week. The purple color of the flowers should last up to a year when exposed to sunlight.

Making the Wreath

1. Bend two wire hangers into “O” shapes. Place the hangers together and wrap floral tape around them to make the base of the wreath. You can also purchase a pre-made wreath frame from a craft store.

2. Place a lavender stalk onto the wreath base and secure the stem part to the frame, using floral wire.

3. Place a second lavender stalk slightly lower on the frame so that its stem overlaps the first stalk. The second stem and flowers should completely conceal the first stem. Secure the second stem with floral wire.

4. Continue placing lavender stalks around the wreath until the base is completely covered with flowers, leaving no visible floral tape or stems.

5. Decorate the wreath with a ribbon bow tied at the top or a length of ribbon wrapped loosely around the wreath.

References

• University of Maryland: Lavender
• Purple Haze Lavender LTD.: Drying Lavender
• Save On Crafts: DIY: How to Make a Wreath
• Save On Crafts: DIY Working With Dried Flowers