Caxton magazines staffEditor Mary Jane Harris says the best way to welcome guests this festive season is with an easy-to-make wreath
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- Florist’s foam ring soaked in water
- Long lasting greenery like ruscus or fresh leaves from a bay tree
- One bunch fynbos (available from florists)
- Secateurs
- Dried orange slices (available from florists and gift shops)
- Cinnamon sticks
- Dried seed heads (I used agapanthus)
- Florist’s wire
- Ribbon
HOW TO MAKE THE WREATH
- Trim and insert sprigs of greenery in the ring, working in one direction and spacing it so that it looks even.*Tip: Make sure your secateurs are sharp so that when you cut the stems the cuts are clean and the leaves can draw up water from the soaked florist’s foam.
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- Keep turning the wreath and inserting greenery and fynbos until the florist’s foam is covered.
- Decide which point is going to be at the top and twist a piece of wire around the top of the ring.
- Using florist’s wire, attach the dried orange slices at equal intervals.
- Insert the seed heads at equal intervals.
- Tie a couple of cinnamon sticks together with florist’s wire and insert the bunches evenly, making sure the overall effect is balanced.
- Tie a length of ribbon to the wire and suspend the wreath from a nail, taking care to avoid hanging it in full sun.
- To keep it looking fresh, carefully mist the foam every day using a spray bottle, but avoid wetting the cinnamon sticks and orange slices.
