holiday

• rubber gloves
• wire wreath form
• sphagnum moss
• small, well-rooted plants
• fishing line
• scissors
• candle holders
• bucket
• floral u-pins

1. Spread newspaper on your work surface. This project is messy and wet.
2. Soak sphagnum moss in warm water for 15-30 minutes.
3. Tie end of fishing line onto the wreath form
4. Layer moss generously in wreath form.
5. Arrange plants and candle holders loosely on top of the moss.
6. Add more wet moss to cover roots of first plant.
7. Begin wrapping fishing line securely around moss and plant.
8. Continue adding moss and securing with fishing line.
9. Place candle holder spike in moss; cover base with moss; secure with line.
10. Continue around form until all plants and candle holders are placed.
11. Tie off fishing line.

• Select small plants with similar moisture needs. Lavender, rosemary, and thyme all do best in well-drained soil. They will work well together in a wreath.
• Ivy works very well in a living wreath. It likes to be in a damp environment.
• As you build the wreath by adding moss, watch the shape. Your wreath should be about the same size all the way around.
• Loop the fishing line firmly around the wreath form. Be sure to catch the plants and the candle holders.
• After your wreath is planted, pay attention to it. The moss dries out rapidly. These wreaths require daily attention, but they are worth it.
• Use floral u-pins to control the plants.
• Keep the plants well-groomed. Clip sprigs of plants as they grow.
• Use an awl to poke a hole in the moss; insert the cut off sprigs. They may root.