Christmas mini-series episode 1 | Creating a sustainable Christmas wreath
episode description
In the first episode of our Christmas mini-series, Sarah and Arthur give you all the tools you need to make a sustainable Christmas wreath that will stand out this festive period. From their top foraged finds to the best ways to add a little sparkle to your homemade wreath for less…
In this episode, discover...
- Real inspiration for wreaths from outside your back door
- Sarah and Arthur’s top choices for a Christmas wreath
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Mini-series episode 1 advice sheet
Top materials for a foraged Christmas wreath
- A dried tapestry of dock leaves. Great for decorating on a budget and really unusual
- Arthur used a moss base for his wreath and made the dock seed heads into individual posies. Reminiscent of a grouse’s nest – copper-wire fairy lights create a wonderful contrast against the tones of brown and make anything look stylish
- Bracken - Before it gets sopping wet, a beautiful, burnished honey blond – the colour of highland cattle. The structure of bracken also forms a really lovely base, which no one will mind you picking!
- Sarah and Arthur often forage for silver birch – a wonderful material for any Christmas wreath, it’s willingness to bend makes it so easy to use. Don’t tie it too tightly, as it’s shagginess creates a gorgeous organic look
- Eucalyptus – the silver underside of the leaves is a great way to lift your wreath and isn’t just stylish, but very much in vogue! Not to mention that when dried, it can be used over, and over again
- Rosemary – an evergreen that’s still looking fresh as a daisy way into the winter months. When crushed, evokes a wonderful aroma
- Hebe – great for wreath making
- Evergreen Viburnum – Sarah goes for Viburnum ‘Tinus’
For more flowery or berry bling, add…
- Ivy flowers and their waxy leaves – ensure they’ve absorbed lots of water or they’ll quickly need rehydrating
- Crab apple – a bit of this is great for colour
- Holly
- Chinese lanterns
- Spindle – an incredible pink colour – sings out against eucalyptus and silver birch
- Hydrangeas - red burgundy, acrid green ‘Annabelle’ and ‘Incrediball’ – pick in advance before the first frost to retain colour
Sarah’s top 5 for a Christmas wreath
- Japanese anemone
- Malus hupehensis (crab apple)
- Clematis seedheads
- Old man’s beard - spray with cheap hairspray to keep the fluff
- Chinese lantern
- Hellabores – ‘Maestro’ is a great choice
Arthur’s top 5 for a spectacular Christmas wreath
- Panicum capillare 'Sparkling Fountain' – delicate so pick by the handful
- Honesty
- Opium poppy seedheads
- Perennial grasses
- Cobaea scandens – an exotic touch
