Monday, May 19, 2014

Succulent Wreath Class at Meadowbrook Farms

Back in April I attended a succulent wreath class at Meadowbrook Farms, which is owned by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. I had been investigating creating a succulent wreath and had found some different ideas on how to go about it, but when I saw this class listed I thought it would be a fun way to learn about it.

There was a writer from the Philadelphia Inquirer there, so if you subscribe you might have seen the article or can view it online. (I’m actually in the photo of the group at the round table – thankfully small and not too noticeable.)

We started with a pre-soaked sphagnum moss wreath that had wire and a hanger. Surprising, it looks like you can actually buy these on Amazon. We were given hardy sempervivum plugs (small plants). Basically you plan (or not plan) where you want your different semps to go, then use a knife, or just your fingers, to dig a hole into the moss wreath and put your plug in. Make sure it is deep enough so it will root in well and not fall out when hung. You can use toothpicks to angle or anchor plants in. The wreath should be kept flat for at least a month to help the plants root-in.

Here is the succulent wreath that I created in class, although I admit I added in a few other succulents (the spider-web looking ones). The wiry looking things are sedums that they gave us in class and I don’t think those work very well since they get very “leggy.”


My succulent wreath will need full sun when it is ready to hang, or else the semps will get straggly.  Any plants that die can be replaced. The wreath should be watered when it is dry and hard to the touch. It is best to lay it on the ground to water. We used hardy semps, so this wreath could be left outside in a covered area during the winter, however, I may bring mine into the greenhouse to overwinter.

This succulent wreath not only could be hung on a gate, wall, trellis, or fence, but it could also be used as a centerpiece on a patio table, with a candle in the middle, or to cover up an ugly tree stump.

It was a nice group of people and a lovely day to spend crafting a succulent wreath. A good source for succulent plugs is Simply Succulents. You also may be lucky enough to find some in Lowe’s Home Improvement store.


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