Have you ever
wondered if you could make your own succulent garden wreath? It's really not that hard!
And, the Garden Apothecary is sharing her 5
simple steps with us today! Here's what
you need to start creating your very own custom, healthy and gorgeous
succulent wreath.
Step 1 – Gather Your Goods.
All you'ill need as
a base is a pre-made wreath form. Here is an inexpensive but super
durable form, from this company on amazon.
Once you have your wreath form and pins (pins are not necessary if
the cuttings have been inserted properly, but they help), it’s time to gather
your succulent cuttings.
The easiest way to do this is to simply pluck cuttings
that are thriving in your garden, or purchase some at a local nursery or flower
center.
Cut the
stems about 3″ in length. You
will need about 12 medium to large (2-3″ in diameter each) pieces of
succulent cuttings, and about 10 – 15 smaller pieces.
Pieces that have woody,
strong but thinner stems are the best. If you are ordering online be sure to
ask for those characteristics in the cuttings.
Favorite varieties to use in wreaths are:
Echeveria (use multiple types)
Sedum (the smaller kind cascades nicely)
Jade (variegated if you can find it)
Aeonium (black is always gorgeous against the
green/blues)
Step
2 – Soak.
Next,
you will need to prep your goodies by soaking them in water. Use a bucket to
soak the wreath or use a hose.
Be sure to lay the wreath flat and fully
saturate with water. This should take about 1-2 minutes, no more.
Don’t over
saturate, as the moss will start to become soggy and messy – too hard to work
with. If you have over saturated, just
let it dry out for about an hour or so.
Next take your succulent cuttings and clean
off any excess dirt, debris and dead or yellowing leaves from the stem and the
base of the “head”.
You will also want
to wash off and soak the cuttings in order to clean and hydrate them. Again, in
a bucket for a minute or so. Give them a good shake to whisk away any excess
water.
Once the wreath and cuttings are watered, lay them flat and organize by
variety and color.
Step
3 – Arrange.
Think
of this step as you would a flower arrangement.
Where will the wreath live?
Is it for a party or holiday?
What type of exposure will it get?
Make a note on your calendar to take it down
and water it twice a month. Arrange the
larger succulents into groups towards the bottom of the wreath, eyeing where
they would look nice.
Then roughly arrange the smaller cuttings around the rest
of the wreath form, generally placing them where they might look best.
Step
4 – Install cuttings.
Once
your prep is complete and you have roughly eyed where you think the cuttings
will look the best, you can get started planting!
Start planting the larger
cuttings first by inserting the wreath with a sharp, clean pair of clippers
(the ones used on the cuttings). The secret is to not make the hole too big,
make it just wide enough to get the stem in.
Once the stem is in the moss hole,
you can twist it fully in, securing it down with mild force. A large nail to
make the holes will work, too. Make the holes per the size of your
cuttings, one at a time.
Be
sure to cut the stems if they are too long, and hold them by the head gently to
twist them into the hole. If you made a mistake, or the hole is too large and
the cutting isn’t staying in – simply remove it and start a new hole in a
different part of the wreath.
Give the wreath a bit of time to recover that
hole (it’s a bit mushy and will bounce back) and go back to it in a few minutes.
Continue to turn the wreath and look from all
angles so that you have fully planted the entire form.
Step
5 – Finishing up.
Your
wreath is now almost complete! For the
last step, you can hold the wreath up to make sure nothing is falling out from
being too heavy or not inserted enough.
If you need to pin some of the cuttings
you can do so – but don’t stab into the leaves, pin around them.
Your wreath
should lay flat in a sunny location for about 4 weeks before you hang it, but if planted correctly, you can hang right away.
Feel free to add a lovely silk ribbon or
twine hanger to the wreath for some added color and hanging support.
Depending on your exposure and weather, water
about 1-2 times per month, until it’s fully saturated. Your wreath is living –
so mostly keep them outside in full to part sun. and treat it with loving care!
Once it grows too big for the form or for your aesthetics – simply pull it a
part and start again!
You will find the wreath should hold up fine and you will
have a lot more cuttings then when you started.
Thank
you to the Garden Apothecary, in Half Moon Bay, California for sharing
your fun project with us!
ciao!
fabiana
