How do they make boxwood garland, anyhow? How is a plant that grows at a glacial pace (about 1" of growth per year!) capable of providing this much foliage? Are they harvesting one branch from hundreds of boxwood? You aren't supposed to prune boxwood in the fall, so are all of these boxwood kept in greenhouses? As you can see, I'm amazed by this. If anyone can provide some insight to this confused blonde, I would love to know how they make boxwood garland possible. :)
Ok, so I had my boxwood greenery. Now, all I needed was a wreath form. I went to 3 different craft stores and came up empty handed. No square wreath forms. Then, I found these inexpensive forms online at the Maine Wreath Company, but I didn't want to wait for them to ship it to me.
I'm impatient and after all, Christmas is a mere 11 days away! So, I decided to get creative and make my own wreath form. I found some scrap wood in our basement, and cut it to size. Then, I screwed all four pieces together, primed it, and painted it green. Our front door has a large glass panel, and I didn't want to see ugly scrap wood from the other side. The green frame blends in quite nicely.
materials needed:
25 feet of boxwood garland
square wreath form (mine is a DIY and measures 15" square)
floral wire
wire cutters
floral clippers (not pictured above)
Start wrapping the garland around the frame, tying it onto the frame with floral wire as you go...
Keep wrapping and wrapping until all 25 feet of boxwood is used up...
Then, with your floral clutters, trim the excess so that is starts to resemble a square...
To hang my wreath, I bought 4" wide, white satin ribbon from Michael's, and 5/8" black twill tape...
To create a look inspired by this black and white piping...
the FABULOUS wrapping at Williams Sonoma Home (my favorite store in the world)
I trimmed the white ribbon with the black ribbon. I don't have a photo of this step, sorry. But, it's simple. Just hot glue the black ribbon to the edges of the white ribbon to create a "piped" look (like the gift boxes above). Loop the newly piped white ribbon through the wreath and...
Voila! You're done.
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How elegant. I received my owl trivet, gold key and gold key key hanger and love them. Thanks!
I'm bookmarking this for next year; it looks fantastic!!
Hi Kelly, I love the square wreath, very inventive..it contrasts well with the red door... maureen
We always snitched from the boxwood along the front of my parent's home to make kissing balls and such. Once the bushes are mature and full, I've never even noticed a dent even though it takes a lot. There is a single, HUGE unruly specimen on the property where my husband works that I took a TON from for a wreath last year, and I think several others could have done the same without consequence to the bush. That said, perhaps one has to be more delicate while they are still small and are regularly pruned throughout the year leading up?
Great tutorial Kelly! Martha Stewart would be proud.
I love it! I am so copying this.
I enjoyed an older Martha Stewart holiday special this past weekend where she made a similar wreath and stated how quick and easy it was. I thought, "Sure, Martha, you make everything look easy!" You've actually MADE it easy, Kelly. Beautiful!
my WS home store is closing in Scottsdale. They said they were only going to keep 2 open! really a pity but not at all the style for most in Scottsdale. too much faux Tuscan around here :(
Nice job - that turned out so well! I really love it and I think boxwood is so elegant.
Oooh pretty I love it.
eI liked it better before you trimmed it.
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