Grace Your Front Door with a Fall Wreath

Throughout the year, wreaths grace the doors of many homes in the US. The circle or even spherical shape of the wreath (or “crown”) means unity, peace, and immortality. Based on the plants and materials used on the wreath, it could mean many different things throughout the seasons.

This month, dress the front door with beautiful fall colors of brown, gold, orange, and moss green. There are many natural “found” objects that you can use to personalize your fall wreath. The key to using things you find in your yard or walk around the neighborhood is that these objects need to be dried properly (to avoid mold or other pesky bug infestations).

Most flowers such as goldenrods, cattails, and hydrangeas can hang dry. If you planned ahead, summer plants like lavender, marigolds, and daisies are wonderful accents to fall wreaths.

Items like tree nuts, moss, pine cones, fungi, and magnolia leaves should tray dry. Lay them on a sheet pan a bake them in the oven at the lowest temperature for one hour (just enough time to remove all moisture; but don’t leave them in too long or they will catch on fire).

Fall Wreath Directions

• The base. Build your base with floral foam that can be found at craft stores. You can often find it in the wreath shape already. Another alternative is braiding vines such as grapevine, honeysuckle, raspberry, and bittersweet vines as your wreath base. Have a glue gun ready to permanently apply your foliage in place.
• Leaves, pine needles, and moss. These items are great backgrounds for wreaths. Magnolia leaves dry into a golden color. Corn husks and cattails can also be used. If you have an abundance of pine needles, it takes time, but you can “weave” the needles into the wreath for texture and interest.
• Choose your accents. What did you find in your yard or on your walking trips? Old wasp nests are a great find because honeycombs add added interest to the wreaths. Did you find peach or acorn seeds to use in the wreath? How about red magnolia seeds? Small squash, pumpkins and dried chili peppers that can be found at local grocers. They can add great focal point details to your fall wreath.
• Preserve and embellish. Finish your wreath with a ribbon, raffia, or ornament. You can gently spray the wreath with clear acrylic to make it weather resistant.