The woods and hedgerows are now down to their bare bones, with only the stalwart evergreens bringing robust colour. Still, there’s more than enough natural, wild material to gather for the traditional elements of a winter wreath.
A winter forage: one of the true, simple pleasures, before the festivities begin is the pre-Christmas foraging walk. With snips and string in my pockets, I like to walk my favourite paths, looking around and collecting little snips of this and that for my winter wreath. Pockets full of cones, twigs and berries.
Look for old friends like Holly (full of berries this winter ), Ivy, Yew, Rosehips and Haws, and locally found conifer varieties that last wonderfully in a wreath.
When I put together my winter wreath, I also like to include a little of the season past – Teasels and golden Bracken – alongside the promise of the year to come in the form of Hazel and Alder catkins.
These contrasts of colour and texture reflect the seasons and, when bound together, make a lovely, simple door wreath without artifice.
Fully compostable – this one can go straight onto the compost heap in January. Just remove the few re-useable items like ribbon.
Making a natural wreath
Check my guidance on foraging sustainably before pottering off with snips and a bag to collect your materials.
Your first requirement is a robust ring made from locally cut birch, beech, hazel or willow.
Pick half a dozen finger-wide, meter-long whips, and take your time to wind them into a ring. No fastening required – the slow and mindful (occasionally frustrating) process of weaving that ring is very satisfying. If it springs apart, to begin with, unwind and start again. I promise you that I will tie in beautifully with a bit of patience.
My little pictorial guide to local ingredients will give you a good indication of the best foliage for long-lasting decoration.
Step 1
Look for contrasting colours and shapes within your selection, and some evergreens can be prettier reversed, showing their silvery tones – particularly Hemlock and Grand Fir.
Step 2
Divide the foliage into about ten small bunches – each the size of a child’s hand, using a real mix of ingredients in each attractive little bundle. Bind each bunch with a little twine.
Cones can be wired or tied into the bundles at the front. Larch sprigs with tiny cones attached are even easier to include.
Consider using the most interesting elements at the front of the bunch so that they shine out in your finished wreath.
Step 3
Lay the bunches out and arrange them in the order you’ll attach them. When you’re happy with the design, bind them to your wreath frame one by one, wrapping each bundle tightly with twine as you go.
Allow each bunch to overlap the one behind to hide the stems. Follow the circular shape by angling each bunch slightly outward. Firmly knot the last bunch in place and cut the twine.
Step 5
Cover the stems of the last bunch with some burlap, raffia or ribbon and tie a hanging loop to the top of your wreath.
My recommended materials are all good and long-lasting. The wreath will remain fresh for three or four weeks without further attention.
Kim Ralph is a Ludlow based creative forager. Sharing information about locally found wild grasses, berries, seed-heads, twigs and flowers. Seasonal updates and identification tips.
Inspiration and techniques for preserving your gathered materials to fill vases, create garlands, and weave them into wild wreaths.
Find Kim on:
Instagram: @wildlyforaging
Email : kimlralph@yahoo.co.uk
