November is here and it is the start of the holiday season! Thanksgiving brings families together with food and fun and traditionally, Christmas decorating begins the day after the Thanksgiving holiday. Nothing symbolizes the holiday season more than a wreath on the front door. It is like a welcome sign for all the visitors to your home. The kind of wreath you hang on your front door can tell a lot about the inhabitants inside too!
The hanging of wreaths is traced to Roman times. They were hung at the time of Winter Solstice. It was considered a time of darkness, as the days were short. Wreaths made from Holly, an evergreen, were circular to represent the life cycles of the world around them and the belief that light and life would return in the spring.
Making a wreath from live greenery is a great way to bring the outdoors in. A gentle reminder of the world around us, at a time when the weather keeps us inside. Live greenery wreaths are easy to make and add variety, texture and a wonderful holiday fragrance to your holiday décor!
If you have never made a wreath from live greenery, there is no time like the present! You will need a few supplies to get started, such as: a wreath form, floral wire, ribbons and decorations, all found at your local craft store. For the greenery, look around your yard. Using sharp pruners, trim branches from trees such as, Pine, Spruce, Cedar, Magnolia, Leyland Cypress or Arborvitae. Holly bushes are another great option, as well as herbs like, Rosemary or Bay. As you prune, look for healthy, flexible stems and be sure to keep your cuts balanced and symmetrical so it does not affect the look of the tree when finished.
To be sure your wreath will stay looking great through the holiday season, soak your greenery overnight so it is as hydrated as possible before you get started. Use your floral wire to create small bunches of cut greenery, then attach those bunches to your wreath form using floral wire. Continue working all the way around, until the form is covered. Use ribbon, ornaments and other found items, to add color or interest. Once your wreath is complete and hung, mist it lightly with water every two or three days to keep it hydrated. Avoid hanging live greenery in areas that are in direct sun or areas above fireplaces or heat vents. At the end of the holiday season, use wire cutters to snip the floral wire and discard the greenery. Save your decorations, ribbon and form for making next year’s wreath.
If you are interested in creating a beautiful holiday wreath with live greenery, join Paulding County Master Gardener Extension Volunteers for their first Annual Holiday Wreath Workshop on Saturday, December 7. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to create a wreath and receive all wreath-making materials. Registration is required and the fee for class is $20, class begins at 10 am at Paulding Meadows Park in the Enclosed Pavilion. Space is limited, so contact the Paulding County Extension Office today to register for your spot-770-443-7616!
The author of this article, Christen Thomas, is a Paulding County Master Gardener Extension Volunteer. As representatives of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Master Gardener Extension Volunteers are trained experts, who answer questions about home horticulture, sustainable landscaping, and environmentally friendly gardening practices using unbiased, research-based information from the University of Georgia. For more information on gardening in Paulding, Paulding County UGA Extension 770-443-7616 or check us out online at www.ugaextension.org/paulding.
