How to Make a Living Ivy Wreath
Keep this ivy wreath topiary on hand in your garden to use as a centerpiece when you have unexpected dinner guests. Bring it inside, dress it up with a few candles, some glittery garland or silk flowers, and your guests will think you are a genius!
Things You'll Need
- Wire Wreath Frame
- Garden Shears
- Liquid Fertilizers
- Slow-release Fertilizer
- Sphagnum Moss
- Paddle Wire
Instructions
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1
Attach the tag end of No. 24 paddle wire to a wire wreath frame.
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2
Soak sphagnum moss in a bucket until it is moist. Half a bale of sphagnum will make one 8-inch living wreath.
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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.
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4
Select ivy plants in 4-inch containers. There are usually several plants combined in the same container, so you get more for your money.
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5
Remove the ivy from the 4-inch container.
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6
Separate the individual plants, being very careful to remove as little soil from around the roots as possible.
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7
Lay the prepared ivy onto the moss-covered frame near where the wire is attached. The plant should be on its side.
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8
Cover the root ball with a new piece of damp moss. Wrap the moss that overlaps up over the new sheet to cover the entire root ball.
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9
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.
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10
Lay the next plant so that the foliage covers the root ball of the previous plant.
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11
Continue adding ivy, 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.
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12
Soak the finished wreath in a bucket of water or spray with a hose to settle plants in place.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep the ivy topiary wreath in a cool, shady area of your garden or patio.
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 tray when you bring it indoors to prevent it from staining wood surfaces.
