Christmas 2020 has seen a revival of the door wreath. A circle of evergreen foliages to represent eternal life and strength. There are so many wonderfully amazing different techniques and styles that you can use but like anything, I have found my own way and will share it here along with some beautiful document style photos taken by my friend Oxi https://www.oxiphotography.co.uk/
My wreaths have always had a very organic wild feel but this year rather than sticking with the traditional wired technique that is used across the floristry industry, I decided to make them completely compostable too. They are more often made on a wire circular frame and everything being tied on with reel wire but these are made with a circular base of Willow and everything being tied on with string.
I have been lucky in that a neighbour has a Willow tree that is slightly growing out of control and so she was happy for me to help myself. Other materials that can be used instead for the frame are Hazel, Birch, some types of Clematis, Virginia Creeper, Cornus, Larch , basically anything that that easily bends and isn’t brittle.
You grab a bundle, maybe 8-12 lengths and take the longest length you have first. Wind it into a circular shape and then use the thinner end to wrap around and around. It should hold itself already, if it doesn’t then your piece may not be long enough so either cut another or use a little string to tie it. Then working in a clockwise pattern add more and more pieces in.
If some pieces feel a little stiff then just manipulate with your hands to bend it gently before using. The more pieces you add in, the bigger and stronger your wreath will be. If you want to use the base for dried flowers or only a few sprigs of foliage then you’ll probably only need about 8 lengths. If you want to make a massive luxury version then you’ll probably need about 20 plus. This really does depend on the material you’re using but once you’ve done it will feel really fairly strong.
Once you are happy with your base then you have a few options. You can either use moss which is a favourite because it feels so natural and earthy (but please search for certified sustainable supplies - you can ask me) straw, which works really well for keeping it light or you can tie directly onto the base. The main purposes of the moss or straw is that it one keeps the foliages damp and alive and two stops the foliages slipping on the framework. Once you’ve chosen your method, you can then tie with string onto your frame. If you use jute string then it keeps the wreath compostable. Just tie the string on to the ring first then take handfuls of moss and wind the string around it tying it at the end.
Now comes your choice of foliages. If you use evergreens then you know they are going to last the Christmas period, so things like, Conifer, Ivy, Pine, Spruce, Cedar. You can also add whatever else you fancy, things like, Birch, Larch, Berries, Viburnum, Teasels, Feathers, Holly if you’re brave enough!
This can be a really lovely thing to get the kids involved with. Go on a walk in the countryside or woods and see what you can all gather.
If you’re feeling confident then you can just tie all of your material directly on to the ring in the same way that you added your moss, but you’ll have to pull it pretty tightly and tie it well to ensure that it all stays put. Or, alternatively, you can tie lengths into bundles by taking 4-5 various stems and tying them together., before adding to the ring. You’ll need approx 15 - 20 of these bundles to cover the ring nicely. These can then be tied on again working in a clockwise motion. I say clockwise but this may be because I’m left handed and so anti-clockwise may suit you more.
If you want to add any additional decoration like ribbons, cones, baubles, dried fruit slices then save these until last. Feed wire into and out of the decoration to create a hair pin with the wire. This can then be pushed it wherever you want. If you have a thick moss base then this may be enough to hold it but if it’s thinner then use wire that is long enough to pull through to the back and twist the ends together. Don’t forget to push the end back into the wreath so that it doesn’t scratch your door.
And, it’s done! Your wreath is ready to be hung on your door and enjoyed throughout the Christmas period. You have made your own unique compostable door wreath!
Happy Christmas xx
