How to Make a Living Annual Wreath

Wreaths add a festive touch to any celebration and are fun to make. Here is a wreath made from living annual plants that is colorful and will last a very long time if cared for properly.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Wire Wreath Frame
• Annual Plants
• Garden Shears
• Liquid Fertilizers
• Slow-release Fertilizer
• Sphagnum Moss
• Paddle Wire

1. Attach the tag end of No. 24 paddle wire to a wire wreath frame.
2. Soak sphagnum moss in a bucket until it is moist. Half a bale of sphagnum will make one 8-inch living wreath.
3. Cover the wreath frame with the sphagnum moss. The brown side of the moss should be facing up and the sides should overlap by at least two inches on both sides of the frame.
4. Remove one of the annual plants from its container and flatten the root ball by pressing it gently between your palms. Some suggestions for annuals are primrose, pansies, nemesia or violas.
5. Lay the prepared annual plant onto the moss-covered frame near where the wire is attached. The plant should be lying on its side.
6. Cover the root ball with a new piece of damp moss. Wrap the overlapped moss from the side of the wreath frame over the new sheet to cover the entire root ball.
7. Wrap twice with the paddle wire. Be very careful to wrap the wire over the root ball and not the crown (the area where the foliage meets the roots) of the plant.
8. Lay the next plant so that the foliage covers the now-wrapped root ball of the first plant. Cover with moss, wrap with the overlapped moss and wrap with wire.
9. Continue adding annuals, covering with moss and wrapping with wire until you come to the end. Cut the wire and tie off to the back of the frame.
10. Soak the finished wreath in a bucket of water or spray with a hose to settle plants in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Fertilize every two weeks with a complete liquid fertilizer, or use a slow release fertilizer at planting time.
• Water when the bottom of the wreath feels as dry as a wrung-out sponge.
• Place the wreath on a large saucer to prevent it from staining wood surfaces.