Are you growing fresh herbs in your garden? Then consider creating a lovely fresh herbal wreath to hang in your kitchen. It will not only add some beauty to your decor, but every time you walk by, the wonderful fragrance will amaze you. Over time, the herbal wreath will dry out. Keep it as a decorative wreath or snip the dried herbs to use in your cooking when needed.
You can purchase a fresh herbal wreath for an exorbitant amount of money. But why purchase when an herbal wreath is so easy to make. With just the right supplies, you can create your own expensive-looking wreath for a fraction of the cost.
Read: 8 Herbs to Plant in Your Garden
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link, I can make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See Privacy Policy for more details.
Supplies
- Metal wreath form (8-12 inch)
- Green floral wire (22-24 gauge)
- Mini rubber bands
- Decorative ribbon
- Variety of herbs from your garden or purchased at a farmer’s market
- Cutters for herbs and wire
Steps to Make a Fresh Herbal Wreath…
The steps for making this wreath are relatively easy, but a little time-consuming. Set aside about an hour to put your wreath together after you’ve harvested the herbs.
Step 1: Preparation
Start by gathering your supplies. If you are planning on using your herbs for cooking, you’ll want to harvest your herbs and carefully wash and dry them. You’ll need many bundles of herbs, so gather plenty. I always use more herbs than I think I’ll need.
Line your work surface with paper to make cleanup a breeze. Also, snip some floral wire into 6-8 inch pieces before you create your wreath. Use one piece of floral wire to create a 2-3 inch loop. Attach this to the back of your wreath for hanging.
Step 2: Foundation
Start with the largest herb first, such as sage. Bundle your herbs into small bouquets with about 3-4 stems per bundle. Wrap each bundle tightly with a small rubber band. Clear rubber bands are best. I used colored bands so you could see how they look. As the herbs dry, they will shrink. The rubber bands will shrink as well and will hold the herbs in place.
Create 8-10 small bundles of the herb. Using the floral wire paddle, attach these bundles to your wreath frame. Evenly distribute them around the ring, placing them so they face in the same direction. These bundles should lay flat along the surface. Make the bottom row very full. This will not only hide the wire ring, but will give your wreath a lush backdrop.
Step 3: Filling In
Create bundles from a second herb and attach these to the wreath, laying them on top of the first herbs you attached. Then add in a third herb and so forth. Use the cut wire pieces to attach as you fill in the holes with these bundles. Attach your herbs by tucking them under the first herbs that you attached. This can be a little tricky, so just work carefully to wrap the herbs onto the wire frame.
Step 4: Finish
Finish your herbal wreath by filling in any small holes or openings with additional herb bundles or by adding in some flowers. Finally, attach a ribbon to the top of your wreath if desired or just leave the wreath unadorned and enjoy all the natural beauty.
Tips…
- Pick your herbs in the coolest part of the day. Early morning is best, but you could pick in the evening as well. You want to pick your herbs when they are the most hydrated.
- If you’re not using the herbs immediately, place them in water to help keep them hydrated until you’re ready to create your wreath.
- No need to wash your herbs if you don’t plan on using them to cook with. Just brush off any debris as you incorporate them into your wreaths.
- Squeeze in as many herb bundles as you can to help keep the wreath full as it dries.
- After creating your wreath, lay it flat to dry. This helps to minimize the weight of the herbs pulling them down. Once dry, hang your wreath.
- Hang your dried wreath out of direct sunlight to help keep the colors vibrant.
The Best Herbs to Make a Fresh Herbal Wreath…
Not all herbs will work well in your wreath. Some herbs will just wilt instead of drying naturally in place. Herbs with a woody stem do better than a softer stem. Here are some herbs that make the best wreaths.
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Marjoram
- Lavender stems and flowers
- Oregano stems and flowers
- Bay leaves
- Feverfew flowers
- Fennel or Dill flowers
Making a fresh herbal wreath from your garden is a fun afternoon activity. Depending on the size of your herb garden, you might have enough herbs to create several of these wreaths. One for yourself and one to give away. Or invite a few friends over who can also bring a stash of herbs and you have the making of an herb party. Set up crafting tables in the shade of your garden, serve some refreshing outdoor beverages that include herbs such as herb infused water and enjoy.
Making an herbal wreath from your garden not only supplies you with a lovely decorative wreath for now, but once it’s dry, you can use it to flavor your foods. Perfect for savoring your delicious herbs after the gardening season is over.