Making a Christmas wreath

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust help us make our own fresh foliage wreaths for the festive season

Few decorations extend a warm Christmas welcome like a festive wreath hung over a front door, and our gardens are good places to look for foliage to make a memorable decoration.

Start off with a firm base, such as a wire ring, wooden former or stick-based frame available from florists’ supply shops, some garden centres and craft shops. Attach a thick layer of moss to both sides using florist’s wire or horticultural string.

Use moss from your own garden or buy in sphagnum moss from a sustainable source. Use wire or string to make a loop at the top of the wreath to make it easy to hang it on a door.

Create a foliage layer by making small bunches of greenery and wrapping wire or string around each one before attaching to the moss frame. Make sure the foliage flows in the same direction and don’t worry if some pieces stick out a little.

Attach fine details such as holly or other decorative leaves, berries, cones, dried apple or orange slices, cinnamon sticks and ribbon bows, wrapping wire around them before securing to the wreath. Make a large bow using a long length of ribbon and tie it onto the wreath for extra colour.