Making Live Succulent Wreaths

Karen and Jeff Woodward of Woodward Greenhouses in Chaplin, CT, visited East Hampton last night to make live succulent wreaths with members and guests of the East Hampton Belltown Garden Club.  Several people made wreaths along with Jeff and his wife, Karen, who assisted.  Many other attendees listened to Jeff's instructions and demonstration, hoping to make a wreath of their own later with supplies or plants purchased at the meeting or at local garden centers.  Everyone thought the wreath would make a great gift too.

Jeff has been in the greenhouse business for 40 years but has only recently been growing succulents. When he discovered what could be done with succulents, other annuals and houseplants in the form of wreaths, he began experimenting with good sources and techniques for making the live wreaths.  He found a good quality sphagnum moss (The dehydrated form is a cube!) from New Zealand with little extraneous material and good water retention. The hydrated sphagnum moss is in a pile behind the cube. Jeff tried regular Christmas wreath forms, but finally found a preferable form made specifically for live wreaths.  See the circle form (green) in Jeff's hands and the square form (silver) on the table.

JoAnn followed Jeff's instructions and demonstration to make her own wreath. Peggy took some notes to remind her what to do later on her own.  JoAnn filled the wreath frame with 16 plants alternated by tennis ball sized clumps of sphagnum moss inserted into the frame.

Adrianna and Kim complete their wreaths. The hardest part is to fit the last plant into the wire frame.  There were three different varieties of Hen and Chicks or Sempervivum to arrange on the inside and outside of the frame alternately. Jeff told us to water the wreath next week by allowing the wreath to stand in 1-2 inches of water until it absorbs what it needs, then don't mist or spray or water again for another week, at least.

Jeff shows Donna and Diane how the wreaths can be made with pansies, ferns and other plants.  The Woodward Greenhouses web site has a wonderful photo gallery of wreaths made with all kinds of materials.  The photos are sure to inspire you to make a wreath.  Just ask a Belltown Garden Club member how to do it!