How to Make an Herb Garden Living Wreath

When you think of wreaths, your first thoughts may be a pine Christmas wreath or a straw wreath hanging on a door. A living wreath combines the decorative beauty of traditional holiday wreaths with live plants. They can be used as table centerpieces, door hangings or even as an herb garden. They are simple and easy to make when using Mosser Lee's Long Fibered Sphagnum Mossed Wreaths.

1. Choose the size wreath that best fits your planned needs. Mosser Lee's wreaths are available in diameter sizes of 12", 16", 20".
2. Submerge the entire wreath in a diluted solution of house plant fertilizer and water. Gently squeeze the water into the wreath until it is completely saturated (remember to wear gloves when handling the wreath, moss and plants). Allow the excess water to drip off the wreath before proceeding.
3. Put a thick layer of newspaper on a work area to catch any remaining excess water. Place your moss wreath on the paper, wire frame down.
4. Select small plants with short root systems, especially creeping varieties as they will help to cover the wreath making a more beautiful setting. Mint, Oregano, Rosemary, Thyme and Germanders grow well in this type of environment and can provide a good selection of herb varieties for your wreath.
5. Make a hole for each plant by pushing a sharpened pencil into the wreath, spreading the netting and the moss. You may need to cut a small part of the netting to create a larger hole. The hole should be angled to the middle of the wreath and deep enough so that the top of the roots are just below the surface of the wreath. Gently washing the dirt off the roots will reduce root volume and make planting easier. Remember, you can use the entire outer surface of the wreath to position your plants. Where you position them on the wreath will depend upon whether you intend to hang the wreath on a door or place on a table. Place individual plants in each hole and squeeze the hole shut to anchor the plants. You may need to use hairpins or fern pins to anchor the plants to the moss.
6. When the wreath is completely planted, place it in a shallow saucer or pan. Sphagnum Moss provides no nutritional value to the plants, so you will have to fertilize at least monthly. Use a water soluble fertilizer such as Peters or Schultz. Also, you will need to water as needed to help keep the moss moist.

   Your herbs will also benefit from weekly mistings. Place the wreath and the saucer in an area where the plants will get good sunlight. You may need to prune some of the plants as they will grow at different rates.