Christmas wreath using spruce, eucalyptus and viburnum berries.

This is the wreath I made last year (2020). I don’t make my wreath until the first week of December, as I use mostly fresh greenery, and want to keep it looking good all the way through to the New Year. I also use moss on the base to hold water for the same reason.

I try where possible to use greenery from the garden mixed with dried elements that I already have such as the dried limes and pheasant feathers.

I always use a large grapevine wreath base, available from Hobbycraft. When I’m using fresh greenery I cover the base with moss, secured by winding florists wire around, the wire is also available at Hobbycraft. I get the moss from my lawn, but if you don’t have access to any your local florist should be able to order you a bag in. I then spray the moss with water to saturate it. This does make the wreath heavy but it will help keep it fresh for longer.

• 

• 

Next I took individual sprigs of spruce, pushed them into the moss a little and laid them flat, securing each piece by winding florists wire around ( picture 1 above) I laid each piece in the same direction until the whole base is covered (picture 2 above). Spruce/fur tree is again available from your florist, or you could use off cuts of your Christmas tree or if you are lucky may have a suitable tree in the garden!

Once the base was complete I started to add the contrasting elements. Firstly painted oak leaves in small bunches pushed into the moss, I added seven bunches ( picture 1 above). I think anything pale/white would look good in place of the oak leaves if you can’t get hold of any.

Next I pushed individual pieces of eucalyptus all the way around the edge of the wreath lying in the same direction as the spruce. Finally small clusters of viburnum berries were added at the base of each oak leaf bunch (picture 2 above).

Finally three dried limes were fixed with wire in a cluster and three large pheasant feathers pushed in at an angle top and bottom.

I really liked this wreath and will do one very similar this year.

I also made a smaller similar swag wreath for the front gate.