Dry or Succulent, Wreaths Are Sprouting for Holidays
Hundreds of wreaths decorate the Descanso Gardens Christmas show, and as a symbol for the holidays they are most satisfying. Most are made from materials gathered in the garden, a surprising assortment of fruits and foliage that could be found in many Southern California winter gardens.
The theme for this year’s Christmas show is “Christmas in the Country” (the show runs through Sunday and is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily), and most of the wreaths have a country look. Many of the wreaths were made by George Lewis, the superintendent, who has perfected a method that is quick (he has to make many in a short time) but quite sophisticated in appearance.
If you want to learn how to make these traditional wreaths, there will be three demonstrations today and Sunday, the first one about 10 a.m.
But there are also other types of wreaths at the show, such as some made with twisted grape vines, or one made by Natalie Dean that illustrates a new Southern California wrinkle in wreaths: It is decorated with succulent plants. Wreaths of succulents have a distinct advantage over other wreaths. When a dry Santa Ana blows, as it did vigorously this week, they do not shrivel or turn brown, and they can last longer than the season.
Long-Lasting Wreaths
Succulent wreaths can last a year or more if they are constructed properly, and a new booklet by Teddy Colbert explains how. The booklet is available for $3.50 (includes tax and postage) from Teddy Colbert’s Gardens, 2210 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 187, Santa Monica 90403. The materials needed to make a succulent wreath also can be ordered, including a box full of succulent cuttings if you do not want to cut them from your own plants.
The secret to the succulent wreaths’ longevity is that they are alive. The basic wreath uses a wire frame that is filled with potting soil and then wrapped in green moss. The moss is secured with a wrapping of thin copper wire. Holes are poked in the moss and the succulents are inserted and held in place with little U-shaped pins. In a short time they root, and the wreath can be watered and fertilized to keep it going, though, because these are succulents, this is not as critical as it is with other container-bound plants.
You can see these succulent wreaths and order them at Ashbrook’s for the Garden on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, Burkard Nurseries Inc. on Orange Grove Boulevard in Pasadena, Hollyhock on North Larchmont Boulevard in Los Angeles, Sassafras Nursery on Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Topanga and Roger’s Gardens on San Joaquin Hills Road in Corona del Mar.
Dried Materials Work
Still another kind of wreath can be made with the help of dried materials and a new book. “Flowers That Last Forever” by Betty E. M. Jacobs (Garden Way Publishing; $9.95) looks to be a thorough exploration of the possibilities. Wreaths made of dried materials also last a long time, though dust eventually does them in. This book describes and illustrates all the ways of drying plants--even roses--from your own garden and then how they are wired or otherwise prepared for use in arrangements--or wreaths.
For the gardener, there are lists of plants that will air-dry well, that can be dried with desiccants such as silica gel, that can be preserved with glycerin or pressed (and there are directions for making a simple flower press). There is even information on how to dry flowers in a microwave oven (“It will retain the color and shape of flowers better than any other method,” the author says, but the flowers must be supported in silica gel).
This also happens to be a good time to plant many of the flowers grown for drying, including statice and strawflowers, or plants grown for their fascinating seed heads, such as pearl or rattlesnake grass. They are annuals that grow best during the cool season in California, and with any luck the next rain will sprout them. Many of the prettiest can be found on seed racks at nurseries, but this book also lists specialists who sell seeds and plants of everlastings.
