A dried flower wreath - part 1
with WILLOW CROSSLEY
Lesson 34 of 43
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Floral wreaths don't just need to be made of fresh foliage. Learn how Willow creates beautiful dried wreaths in this lesson.
From the Lesson Workbook
A Dried Flower Wreath - Part 1
In this arrangement, I am mainly using statice in various forms which makes up quite a lot of the bulk.
With the right foliage, you will be able to use a wreath that mixes dried and fresh flowers that will last for about a month. I use a metal base that is warpped in very robust straw. The straw is held together with cotton wrapped around the base. There are a variety of straw bases available in sizes ranging from 20 to 50 cm.
During this lesson, I used a 35cm straw wreath. I weave the thread under a few of these to give them more support. I then fold it under back into itself to start it off. To achieve consistency, I recommend that small handheld posies be made for each of them. If you want yours to be quite neat and detailed, make smaller, neater posies.
Dried flowers are quite fragile but you want to tie the wire around them tightly. I recommend being very thoughtful and working out the different quantities of flowers. Wreath making is not a process you should rush. Wreaths are an evolving thing that you need to learn to live with accordingly. Pieces can be cut out and replaced if necessary. As you insert items into the straw, cut it on an angle so that it acts as a little dagger.
For This Wreath I Use:
- Statice Helichrysum
- Limonium
- Dried bracken
- Hydrangea
- Amaranthus 'yearning desert'
- Nigella seed heads
- Erica Barley
- Wheat sheafs
- Iona Straw base
- Real wire
- Mossing pins
- Secateurs
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Your Instructor
Willow Crossley
World-renowned florist, author and designer, known as the UK’s ‘Queen of Flowers’.
Willow Crossley is a professional floral stylist, creating wild and whimsical arrangements full of colour, pattern and movement for an array of top British brands (Jo Malone, OKA). She is the author of four books and is regularly featured in House & Garden and many other publications. Willow is passionate about the profound impact nature can have on how we feel, and has gained a substantial following for her down-to-earth and inclusive approach to floristry and gardening. Willow firmly advocates a sustainable approach to floristry, working with the seasons and sourcing locally grown stems wherever possible.
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