Make Your Own Wreath with National Trust
The National
Trust as always is a great place to visit throughout the year. Hinton
Ampner is one of my favourite and I can highly recommend a family visit there
over the festive period. I’ll shortly be posting up events locally with they
are hosting but in the meantime why not join the National Trust in making your
own wreath? Hinton Ampners Louise Washington has kindly shared with us her step
by step techniques to making your own wreath this year.
How to
make a Christmas wreath, by Louise Washington
Oasis
wreath in plastic frame
Secateurs
Florist
wire pieces
Cut
foliage – yew, variegated holly, garrya
Scots
pine cones
Hessian
ribbon
Step 1
Thoroughly
soak the oasis, then attach a wire looped hook or tie on raffia or ribbon for
hanging. Push in pieces of yew around the outside edge of the oasis, making
sure they are not too long or they will break.
Step 2
Continue
until you have gone all the way around, then place pieces of yew inside the
circle.
Step 3
Add
pieces of holly on top of the yew, working your way around the oasis, then use
the holly to fill in any gaps.
Step 4
Hold up
your wreath to check the shape. Be careful not to make one side heavier than
the other, or it won’t hang straight. Visualise where to place three feature
clusters, always work in odd numbers for detailing. Hold out the wreath at
arm’s length to see the best position. Push in the three clusters of garrya
leaves and their catkins, secure with looped wires.
Step 5
Wire three pine cones and add one
on the top of each of the clusters.
Step 6
Make a bow with the wire across
the ribbon
.
Step 7
Position the bow on the wreath
using the ends of the wire. Take a critical look and see if any adjustments or
changes are needed. Top up with water as needed by using a spray bottle.
Personalise
your wreath
·
This wreath is a play on greens
with different shades, highlighted with variegated foliage.
·
Silver and gold variegated plants
can add extra sparkle.
·
Don’t use more than trhee
variegated forms or it will look messy.
·
Plant choices include – holly,
ivy, yew, hypericum, box, spruce, eucalyptus, viburnum, bay, rosemary, winter
jasmine, nandina, mistletoe, sarcococca, stems of coloured dogwoods and
willows, contorted hazels, physalis, rose hips, seed heads of alliums or
teasel, globe artichokes, snowberries, callicarpa, euonymus, pyracantha
cotoneaster, skimmia, crab apple, pieris
·
For an extra zing add a sparing
touch of spray-paint.
·
To attach fruit or berries –
thread on wire or spike with a toothpick or cane.
Add
a secret meaning
Holly – protection, good luck.
Ivy – fidelity, protection,
healing, marriage, victory, good luck.
Mistletoe – peace,
prosperity,wellness, fertility.
Oak – endurance, strength,
triumph, protection, good luck.
Evergreens – continuity of life,
protection, prosperity.
Yew – death, last day of the solar
year.
Fir – rebirth.
Birch – new beginnings.
Wheat – sustenance, abundance,
fertility, good luck.
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