EASY STEPS TO YOUR HANGING WREATH

You can make this lovely living (or faux) wreath decoration to dangle over your festive table all summer long – inside or out. The wreath requires li‚le skill, with only a bit of patience, and even be‚er, it needs li‚le in the way of care to thrive. Use a succulent variety of the shallow-rooted kind – in gorgeous green and blue tones – and spritz water around the growing medium (not the leaves) every now and again.

Gather your supplies

• Metal wire wreath frame

• 2-3mm thick jute twine in Green (or another colour to suit)

• 4 x 6cmh peat pots

• Spool of green florist wire

• Preserved sheet or fresh moss

• Succulents, real or faux

• Small pillar candles or tea lights (optional)

You’ll also need Marker pen; scissors; sharp upholstery needle; wire cu‚ers; secateurs; aluminium foil

For you to note

Metal wreath frames come in many configurations. You can adapt the following instructions to suit your desired frame.

Here’s how

STEP 1 Mark the wreath frame’s quarter points on the outer ring. Cut 2 x 2.5m lengths of jute twine. Working with 1 length, fold it in half, then securely tie ends to opposite sides of frame, where marked. Repeat with second length of twine and second set of marked points.

STEP 2 With an upholstery needle, poke a couple of holes through 1 side (or base) of a peat pot, then use florist wire to a‚ach it to the wreath frame, halfway between the tied twine ends. The idea is to nestle the peat pot between the inner and outer rings of the metal wreath. Repeat until all 4 pots are secured to the frame.

STEP 3 Working in sections, arrange moss around the frame with the green side facing outward.

STEP 4 Working your way around the wreath, arrange your succulents in the moss bedding.

STEP 5 Use florist wire to secure the moss and succulents to your wreath. To do this, start at a point where twine is tied to the wreath frame, then simply wrap the wire spool repeatedly around the wreath until you reach the point where you began. Allowing a short length for twisting ends together, trim florist wire with wire cu‚ers. Twist the ends to secure, then conceal joined ends within the moss. STEP 6 Gathering the twine together, make a slip knot at the top to complete the hanger. Check the wreath is level when it is hung. If not, make the necessary adjustments. If using small candles, you can address any safety concerns by covering the bo‚om half of each candle with aluminium foil. Place each candle into a peat pot. Your wreath is now ready to be hung.

STEP 2

STEP 6 Turn roof assembly over and drill holes through where they join for the rope you will use to hang feeder.

STEP 7 Spread glue on top of roof posts and sit roof assembly on top so ends evenly overhang posts. Predrill and screw into posts.

STEP 8 Fill screw holes with exterior wood filler, let dry and sand smooth. Remove dust then apply 1 coat of stain to entire feeder.

STEP 9 Thread sisal rope down through holes in roof and knot ends underneath. Hang feeder in a tree.

STEP 4