Fresh Herbal Wreath: A Green Holiday Project

Fresh herbal wreath: a green project

Your herbal wreath can be made from one hero herb, such as rosemary, or a mixture of fresh herbs, dried pods, berry branches, fruit and flowers. Wreaths are easy to make and add a special herbal flair to your holiday home.

They also make thoughtful handmade gifts for special friends. Rosemary is the plant of remembrance and friendship, which makes it a beautiful choice for a doorway or table centrepiece.

What you will need

• Fresh rosemary sprigs or your choice of fresh or dried botanicals (herbs, seed pods, berry branches, fruit, flowers).
• A grapevine wreath base (or similar natural wreath base).
• Florist wire.
• Scissors or secateurs.
• Pretty ribbon for hanging.
• Optional: a cardboard ring and glue gun (instead of a grapevine base).

Step-by-step: how to make your herbal wreath

The method is simple and quite meditative. Once you have your botanicals prepared, you simply add bundle after bundle until the wreath feels full and lush.

1. Cluster your botanicals. Cluster small bunches of rosemary sprigs or other botanicals together into bundles. You can make mixed bunches of the botanicals you are using.

2. Decide on the length. Make bunches about 10–20 cm long, depending on the size of wreath you are making. Longer wreaths can handle slightly bigger bundles.

3. Layer and secure the stems. Place the longest sprigs at the back and the smallest in front. Secure each bundle at the base with florist wire, then make a small pile of these bundles ready to attach.

4. Attach the first bundle. Insert the first bundle into the grapevine base and secure it firmly with wire. Let the foliage follow the curve of the wreath.

5. Work your way around the wreath. Layer the bundles on top of each other all around the wreath base. Add the second bundle so that it covers the wired base of the first, then continue, overlapping as you go.

6. Fill until it feels full. Repeat all the way around until the wreath is full and looking beautiful. Turn it a few times as you work to check that the shape is even.

7. Add finishing touches. Finish off by adding any extra flowers, pods, berries and other details. Attach these with short pieces of wire, tucking the ends neatly into the base.

8. Add your ribbon and hang. Tie a simple ribbon loop at the top for hanging, and your wreath is ready to go on a door, wall or above a mantle.

Using a cardboard ring instead

If you don’t have a grapevine base, you can cut a ring from sturdy cardboard as your wreath base. On a cardboard ring you can use a glue gun to attach your bundles, working in the same direction all the way around.

Good to know

• Fresh wreaths will dry naturally in place. Hang them out of direct sun to help preserve their colour.
• Once dry, your wreath can be kept as a rustic decoration or refreshed with a few new sprigs and flowers.
• Herbal wreaths make beautiful, low-waste gifts and are a gentle way to bring the scent of the garden indoors.

Whether you keep it for your own front door or wrap it up for a friend, a fresh herbal wreath is a simple way to add natural beauty and fragrance to your space.