How to Make an Artemisia Summer Wreath

Artemisia ludoviciana 'Silver King' is an aggressive growing perennial. The plant starts out short in the spring, but near the end of summer it can tower to 36" tall. Growers will be relieved to find a use for this tall plant, after it has outlived its purposefulness in the garden.

Artemisia has a sweet scent, and dries well, keeping its nice silver color. These attributes make it a great material to make a nice summer wreath.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Artemisia
• Coat hanger
• Craft wire

1. 

   Harvest artemisia when the plant starts to lean over, and the bottom leaves have begun to turn yellow. Try to cut before the small yellow flowers fully open.

2. 

   Cut the stem right where the leaves turn from silver to yellow, leaving enough bottom leaves for the plant to continue growing. Artemisia is hardy, so don't be afraid to cut off a good amount.

3. 

   Gather a coat hanger, craft wire, and cut artemisia inside. Any type of coat hanger can be used to make the wreath. A wire coated hanger will be the easiest to manipulate into a circle.

4. 

   Take apart the coat hanger at the hook. Take both ends of the coat hanger, and bend them to form a circle. Secure the circle by twisting each end against the circle. Pull the wire circle to make it round, bending the sides as necessary.

5. 

   Attach the craft wire to the top of the circle, bringing up a 5" piece to make a loop. Wind the wire around the circle to insure the loop won't slip.

6. 

   Pick up four pieces of artemisia, and place them on the base of the circle next to where the craft wire is attached.

7. 

   Wind the craft wire twice across the artemisia 2" up from the bottom of the stem.

8. 

   Place the next bunch of four pieces of artemisia on the top side of the first secured bunch. Place the second group so it is 1" further down than the first group.

9. 

   The groups are placed beside each other, with one stem going on top to help hide the wire. Twist the wire around the second bunch, this further secures the first and second group of artemisia stems.

10. 

    Continue adding groups of four stems, around the wreath. As you go around the wreath, watch for stems sticking out. When coming to the end of a stem, tuck it into the back of the wreath, and wind around with craft wire.

11. 

    Cut the stems shorter when the artemisia groups get close to the place the wreath was started. Tuck in the stems and blend in the last group by adding it to the back of the wreath.

12. 

    Go around the wreath and check for thin areas. Add stems and feather out pieces as needed.

13. 

    Turn the wreath over and secure the wire by knotting it in the back to finish the wreath. The wreath will dry naturally as it hangs, looking great for years to come.

Tips & Warnings

• Artemisia wreaths can be decorated with dried flowers and ribbon for more color.

Resources

• eHow Home and Garden Topic Guide

[maryladd]

on 9/1/2009 This is my favorite article. I loved the photos and the steps were very clear. I am gonna do this. thanks, maryladd

[elyria]

on 8/15/2009 Great, step-by-step instructions!