How to Make a Fern Wreath

Ferns are often found in damp forest settings.

Ferns grow wild in many types of forest settings, but you can also find them at some nurseries and floral shops. Ferns are frequently used for making wreaths for doors, and are popular as head, arm and ankle adornments for ancient hula dancing. Though many different types of ferns can be used for wreath making, look for fronds that are pliable -- that is: they bend easily without snapping. Make one in very little time, depending on how much extra ornamentation you add beyond the greenery.

Things You'll Need

• Ferns
• Garden shears
• Floral wire
• Floral tape
• Scissors
• Wire cutters
• Other greenery or flowers (optional)
• Ribbons (optional)
• Raffia (optional)
• Bow (optional)
• Other ornamentation (optional)

Instructions

1. Wash the fern fronds and let them dry. This is especially necessary if you pick them from an area that gets mud splatter, spider webs and dust.

2. Place all items for crafting the wreath on a work area. Cut a length of floral wire the size you want to make the wreath, with an addition 3 inches. For example, if you want a 20-inch result, cut 23 inches of wire. Using the wire makes quick work of the wreath for beginners, even though you can also weave the fronds together, overlapping them on each other.

3. Take one branch or frond and lay it alongside the wire. Wrap the wire around it in several places. Add another piece of fern and wrap it in, continuing to almost the end of the wire. Leave 1.5 inches uncovered at each end.

4. Layer more ferns until you have the desired fullness for the wreath. Just keep wrapping ferns and wire on top of each other. Join the ends of the wired ferns together by twisting the 1.5 inch ends over each other a few times. Bend any remaining wire piece back into the fern-covered areas.

5. Tape a small piece of floral tape over the twisted part, or add a small piece of fern to cover it fully if any is showing.

6. Tie in any other greenery, using the floral wire, tape or raffia. Tuck in sprigs of holly or other berry, or small clusters of flowers. Secure them with the tape or wire.

7. Wrap ribbon, such as thin white or a light green satin, around your wreath, weaving it over and through the ferns. This is especially attractive during the holidays, when you can also tie in small ornaments to hang from a door.

Tips & Warnings

• Fern wreaths tend to dry out quite quickly, so if you're decorating for a party or event, make them very close to the scheduled time. Spritz them with water from a spritzer bottle to help keep them fresh.

• Contrast the light maidenhair ferns with the darker Boston or sword fern.

• Start with a foam core or other base wrapped in green ribbon or leaf strips. This will immediately give you a fuller result, but you will use more ferns.

References

• Imiloa: Indigenous Plants
• University of Florida IFAS Extension; Nephrolepis exaltata Boston Fern, Sword Fern; Edward F. Gilman; 1999