A mixed herb wreath is appropriate for any home cook or garden lover. Fresh herbs are essential ingredients for cooking to add flavor to different recipes, in either sweet or savory applications. Use a mixture of your favorite herbs, or create a Herbes de Provence wreath that includes a combination of oregano, thyme, savory, marjoram, basil and rosemary. If you want to go in a more simple direction, a solid mint living wreath would be exquisite, and just think about the fragrance it would provide!
| 9-inch wreath base |
| lemon thyme |
| mint |
| thyme |
| basil |
| rosemary |
| chives |
| parsley |
| sage |
| tarragon |
Remember to purchase small immature herb plants that can be easily planted into the wreath.
Planning the Design
Think about color and shape when selecting herbs for your wreath. What will look good together? What will provide contrast in color and texture? What herbs will you actually use and cook with? The variegated leaves of lemon thyme draping along the curving wreath base looks elegant positioned next to a dark green spiked rosemary. Cluster two basil plants in one area of the wreath and another basil plant across from the others to create balance. A single chive plant can be separated into smaller sections of bulbs and planted in different areas to give that desired spilling effect. Before you start planting, arrange the herb plants on a work surface to come up with a good design for the wreath.
Prepping the Herbs
Gently remove the herb plants from their plastic pots. With forceps, gently scrape off excess soil to expose the roots. If you leave too much soil clinging to the roots, you may have trouble fitting the plant into the wreath base.
Planting the Herbs
With forceps or a screwdriver, make a hole through the moss and into the core of the wreath-base soil.
Grasping the base of the plant with forceps, ease it into the hole, tucking the roots inside. If you have a large tangle of roots, patiently and delicately ease the roots inside. It may take some time, but you will be able to get most of them inside. Don’t be afraid if you have to remove a small portion of the roots. The plants sometimes benefit from a small trim if they’re very root-bound.
Stagger and space herbs about 2 inches apart.
This wreath should remain flat for two weeks before hanging.
Care
Herbs prefer a sunny spot with moist soil. After planting, you may need to water more frequently until the plants become more established, and ease your wreath into a full-sun location to reduce transplant shock.
Water the wreath by fully submerging it for two to three minutes one to two times a week or give it a long and gentle soak with water from a garden hose.
Harvesting and using the herbs will promote new growth and will produce a happy and healthy wreath.
