Monday, June 11, 2012

diy succulent wreath

I've never paid much attention to succulent wreaths in the past, 
I didn't really think they were my style, oh so wrong!!
Saturday morning while strolling through the garden tour I spied one hanging on a
gate that inspired me to race home and make my own!




 For the Sparrow Post tutorial I used click here.

I'll give you the rough basics, but this tutorial was the best I found after reading several.
Great detailed photos and tips.

Here are the two wreaths I saw, they are three years old and left outside during the
 Colorado winters, the gardener said she just covers them up.


  
Supplies:

Wire form -  I used an old Christmas wreath (15" diameter)
Succulents - Purchased from Lowes and dug up from my yard
Sphagnum Moss - Long Fibered
Fishing Wire or Floral Wire
Paper clips, Bobby Pins or Floral Pins - I used paper clips

Cost:  $17
Succulents - $13
Moss - $3.30
These sell for about $100 each on several websites.


I ended up using only two of the varieties I bought.
 


Divide your succulents and let them sit out for 2-7 days to form a scab on the end
of the root, this prepares it for planting. Mine were ready after one 90+ degree day.
Remember it is dry in Colorado, no humidity here.


I laid out a rough plan to be sure I had enough plants to cover the area.
I did a more random grouping on the final wreath.


Next, attaching the moss to the wire form that the succulents will be transplanted into.
I used about 2/3 of the bag of moss, submerge it into a bucket of water for about
5 - 10 minutes then using gloves squeeze it dry.


Pack it around the wire form using fishing wire to secure as you go.
Complete one side and turn it over and add more moss if needed.


Here is mine completed.


Time to refer to the tutorial...sorry, I was a bad blogger and forgot to take photos.
Basically, I was using a pen to poke holes in the wreath and inserting the succulents roots,
 securing with pins as I moved along. You'll want to leave some space for them to fill in.

Water every six weeks!



Hang and enjoy your unique creation!


Uncommon Slice of Suburbia's Tuesday Treasures here
Home Stories A to Z Tutorials & Tips here
Southern Savvy Wow us Wednesdays here
The Shabby Nest Frugal Friday here
At the Picket Fence Inspiration Friday here




31 comments:

Tani@Tagana Rose said...

What a gorgeous idea!! Thank you for sharing this tutorial!!
Tani:)

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous. Love that you did this and shared the tutorial. You are quite the creative one!! xo

Katie {Miss Dixie} said...

It's gorgeous! We tried succulents last summer and I was surprised how easy they were to take care of. As in, no care at all. Enjoy your new beauty!

Lisa @ Shine Your Light said...

I had no idea you could make a wreath out of succulents! Oh so cute, Pam!!!

Unknown said...

I have always loved these! Thanks for doing the legwork on the tutorials and giving the project a test drive. Perfect for your picket fence!

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Love it Pam!!

Dana Frieling said...

Yours turned out great! How cool that you can leave it out year-round?!

Suzie said...

I am so excited for my June project! I absolutely love it and it's care requirements are right up my alley!

Leslie said...

Pam,

I've never seen a succulent wreath! These plants are so pretty and have become popular recently.
I like them because they require so little water.

leslie

Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles said...

I can't believe they last that long! That would definitely be worth the time investment since they have such a long life. Beautiful!

Sew a Fine Seam said...

That is really great! I have a 26 inch wreath from last Christmas. Wonder where I could put a succulent wreath that big?!!

Cassie Bustamante said...

way too cool for school!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful wreath and I love that you don't have to water it a lot or often. Good tip about the ends too. I had no idea. It's perfect on your gate!

elizabeth@themustardceiling said...

I have never seen a succulent wreath before, I love it! I can't believe you can leave them out year round. What a great idea, thanks for sharing Pam.

Sixty-Fifth Avenue said...

This is on my list to make. Your wreath is beautiful, great job!!

Katie B. of HousewifeHowTos.com said...

Fantastic project! I'm stunned that they stay alive in Colorado winters. That state isn't exactly known for mild temperatures, and succulents usually freeze then die rather quickly. I live in Kansas, where it gets brutally hot in the summer and incredibly cold in the winter (except this past year). I love the thought of making a wreath like this and being able to keep it alive over the winter. Pinning it, and thanks!

Lori said...

I love it! It will surely show up on Pinterest. Thanks for the inspiration!

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

I cannot believe that you can leave it out in your Colorado winters!...The wreath is gorgeous...and watering every 6 weeks is definitely a plus!

Julie Taylor and Danni Greenwalt said...

It looks great! I love succulents.They make great center pieces.

Unknown said...

I love this! Very cool!

Eclectically Vintage said...

Those succulents don't suck! In fact, your wreath is fabulous!

I have a mop bucket filled with them and I completely ignore them, leave them out in the snow and never water them - and they thrive!!
Kelly

Ispirato Design said...

I'm with you- I've always disregarded them but after taking a closer look at yours I love it. I love the varying colors- really quite pretty!

natasha {schue love} said...

Oh I have been DYING to make one of these...how gorgeous yours turned out!

L o v e l y t h i n g s said...

Pam,
This is beautiful! It looks so great hanging on your gate!
xo
annie

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

Oh wow! Your living wreath is beautiful!

Dee

Maureen Stevens said...

you are quite the DIY'er Pam! this is so pricey at the store & yours is just perfect and made with love! :)

My best friends blog said...

This makes me want to make a wreath like this!! We just found your blog and we are your newest follower! We would love for you to check out our blog!
http://mybest-friendsblog.blogspot.com/

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

Really awesome! And you really only water it every six weeks - that is amazing too!

Lissa (Bellenza) said...

I love this wreath! And since it needs watering only every 6 weeks, it looks like I can keep it alive, too!

Anonymous said...

Your wreath is lovely, thanks for posting your tutorial. We have the exact same white picket fence too... Oh, I have this linked to my DIY succulents post too today, nice job!

White Fence said...

Fences are a decorative piece that helps make the home have great curb appeal. When putting up a fence, often one does not realize that there will be maintenance.

White Fence

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