A WREATH OF BERRIED IVY

A simple wreath packed with just one plant material is often more striking than a mixture of colours and textures. The shiny leaves and dark purple and green berries of mature common ivy are so fulsome that they need absolutely nothing else

MATERIALS

Wire wreath frame (this one is 33cm in diameter) or galvanised wire to make your own Reel of soft wire Lengths (20–30cm) of ivy leaves and berries Ribbon for hanging

TO MAKE

Wrap the soft wire around the wreath frame and thread the stems of the ivy pieces into the wire, layering the pieces on top of one another as you move around the circle

Put plenty on – it should feel abundant – and secure with extra wire if needed. The berries should naturally disperse around the wreath, and you can always add more by wiring the stem of individual berry bunches and threading in between the leaves

Flowering (and therefore berried) branches of ivy are not lobed and trailing, but self-supporting and robust, usually found growing in the sun. This makes it just right for hanging on the front door