NONE Christmas door wreaths - what foliage is good to use?

Dogmum

Hi All
I’m interested in creating a series of different door wreaths to hang at different times of the year i.e. spring, summer and autumn.  So I’m looking for suggestions for seasonal or all year round foliage that will last at least a couple of weeks (preferably a little longer) once cut. My front door is sheltered, so doesn’t get rain, although I could mist the wreath it helped and doesn’t get sun until very late afternoon in the summer.
Ideally I’d like to be able to plant a few different plants/bushes around my garden that I could use in future years as a supply for the wreaths.  My garden is currently pretty empty, so space isn’t much of an issue.

Any thoughts would be welcome.
Thanks

Loxley

You are going to really struggle in the summer - but I wonder if you could make a sort of 'succulent wreath' with houseleeks and sedums etc? They would tolerate dry conditions and could be almost permanent.

Loxley

You could actually also adopt hanging basket principles, but use a wheel shaped wire frame, lined with moss and filled with compost as per a normal basket. Then you can plant bedding, perennials, and ivy / other trailing plants.

Dogmum

@Loxley I really like the idea of using some succulents, I don’t have any currently but was looking at getting some just the other day. Like you say I could possibly make it almost a permanent display that I could move to the poly tunnel in winter. Thanks 😊 

Loxley

You could have two on the go, and alternate every few weeks. You could leave the unused one lying flat in the sun, so the succulents grew in a nice even way instead of reaching upwards.

Fire

Craft markets near me sell living succulent wreaths - as in, using plants in pots that live for years. I thought it was a lovely idea. You can keep them in the garden and mount them on the door when you fancy. They used sempervivum etc. Maybe have a look around the web to dig out the best way to design it. [Not my pic].

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I have made wreaths for other times of years. Plants like euonymus, vinca, ivy and similar evergreens make a good base that lasts well - waxy and bendable strands. I guess if you used florists' foam you could have a week or so of flowers set in the reservoir. Sphagnum moss is supposed to make a good reservoir too. I haven't tried either. Beech might work interestingly... Physalis is worth planting purely to generate decorations - to put the husks on fairy lights, for wreaths and baskets and in vases. It does tend to spread, so bit a bit careful. Autumn berries tend to last pretty well.

 I have willow wicker that I soak. I wrap in ribbon, single earrings, beads and other decorative bits. In our area many people put up spring/Easter wreaths and increasingly make autumn/Halloween wreaths too.

This is my autumn wreath with physalis and dried roses from the garden and lichen. Bits tend to fall off when the door bangs, but don't worry too much.

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Some home grown physalis. Playing with gesso and gold leaf (on holly, beech and all sorts) is very fun.

Dogmum

@Fire your autumn wreath looks amazing, thanks for all the info, just the kind of thing I was looking for.
@Loxley, great idea to have two succulent wreaths so I can alternate in summer, thanks.

Busy-Lizzie

A friend used dried hydrangeas, pink ribbons and some little silver coloured ornaments. Very pretty.

This is one I made, using dried lichen and moss as a base on a bought ring which lasted 2 years. But I think I prefer fresh evergreen leaf ones made each Christmas.

Dogmum

Thanks @Busy-Lizzie, the moss could be great ‘backdrop’ for a spring wreath this year until I can more foliage established.

Uff

Do you have access to pussy willow or catkins Dogmum? They would look nice in a spring wreath. Even plain fir cones would sit well. 

sjb_c

Cypress lasts forever, also yew, box, camellia, firs - all work well and last months.  Your best bet is to use a wire wreath ring, bind moss to it, then attach foliage, then your seasonal flowers can be changed as and when.  Tulips, bulbs, narcissi etc for spring look nice - you can add feathers, eggs whatever takes your fancy.  Have fun!!