I loved decorating my home for each holiday, and especially love decorating my front doors as it is typically the first sight to our home and the celebration. Wreaths are such a lovely addition during any season, and making a homemade wreath is a unique way to incorporate a variety of floral colors and textures—some of which you can easily forage from your own backyard. Below, we’re walking you through how to make your own dried floral heart wreath just in time to celebrate love throughout the month of February.

SO, I brought in my sweet friend Lori from Season in Bloom, to help me create these beautiful wreaths.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Tools

+ Gardening Scissors or Pruning Shears
+ Bind wire—brown, kraft paper-covered wire (it’s bendable and blends with the florals we used)
+ Pliers
+ Elaeagnus or grapevine (We used Elaeagnus to create our heart)
OR
+ Grapevine wreath—you can find these at your local craft store.

Florals

Forage for dried florals
Start by looking around where you live—In your backyard, near a river or lake

If there’s not a lot to forage in your area, these websites offer dried florals for purchase(search for dried grasses, dried branches, or dried flowers):
amazon.com
afloral.com
bloomist.com
nettletonhollow.com
etsy.com

Buy or forage fresh florals and dry yourself
Keep in mind that if you’re drying fresh florals, they take 3-7 days to dry. The best way to dry is in a dark, dry area, secure the bottom of the stem(s) with string and hang them upside down.

Florals We Used

+ Wreath- create one yourself by foraging vines and tying them together in a heart shape- we used elaeagnus. You can also use a 12-inch Grapevine wreath (purchased at a local craft store)
+ Dried flax (purchased at craft store)
+ Illinois bundleflower (foraged)
+ Gomphrena (purchased from florist and dried)
+ Fescue grass (foraged)
+ Strawflower (foraged)
+ Canella (purchased)
+ Marigold (purchased)
+ Pampas grass (purchased and dried)
+ Star Flower (purchased)
+ Pepper Berries (purchased)
+ Eucalyptus pods

LAY OUT BRANCHES AND FORM IN THE SHAPE OF THE HEART WREATH

To make your grapevine heart wreath, first lay out 4-5 branches (we used 4) in the shape of the wreath to get an idea of the shape and movement you want. As you arrange the branches in the heart shape, some pieces may break off—you can reattach them later. Set the shape with the bind wire.

ATTACH FLORALS TO WREATH TO CREATE YOUR BASE

Attach the florals to the grapevine wreath and secure them with bind wire or hot glue. For your base chose more elongated stems and pieces that create texture. You can use more flowers (or less) depending on the size of your wreath.

Florals we used in this step: lambs ear, eucalyptus, bamboo, pepper berries

ADD WHIMSY

Here you’ll add the final textural elements to your wreath. It’s my favorite part because it’s how you can make your wreath personalized and all your own. Take time on this step, and add what you think the wreath needs to complete it. Add in your color, pieces that are different from the nest- stuff in, as well as, fluff. We added most of these elements in the bottom left and bottom right sections of the wreath because I love the off centered feel. Fluff florals and make sure to add texture and dimension.

Florals we used in this step: pampas grass, eucalyptus, strawflower

MAKE EDITS TO YOUR WREATH

Hang the wreath on a blank wall, then step back and evaluate. Is there anything that needs to be added or taken away? If so, go back and add or remove elements.

Enjoy your new wreath this Valentines and the many seasons of love to come! (Look below for instructions on how to preserve it for next year.)

Wreath Preserving Tips

Lay the wreath on a large piece of cardboard and spray both sides of the wreath with a foliage sealant (this helps dried leaves be more stable and resist shattering). Store in a flat box with a lid until next season!