Succulent Summer Wreath

For gardeners, living wreaths are the way to go. Because even when purposes are mainly aesthetic, you don't want to take the idea of growing off the table. Literally. Like these succulents, for example. Their super shades of green (from silvery to emerald) are fantastic for adding color and brightening spaces, but they've also got staying power when you use them in a DIY wreath or centerpiece. Try this project on for size.

Here's a succulent centerpiece for inspiration:

Here's a starter project:

Supplies Needed:

• 1 pair of needle-nose pliers
• 1 piece of chicken wire, 18 x 31 inches
• 20 pieces of 3-inch lightweight wire
• Large bucket of damp sphagnum moss
• Snips
• 20 small succulents or succulent cuttings (If using cutting, allow cutting to callous 2-3 days in advance)
• 1 pair of gloves

Step 1: Lay chicken wire flat on work surface. Cover with 2 inches of damp sphagnum moss. Leave an uncovered border of two inches on top and bottom of rectangle.

Step 2: Roll the chicken wire length-wise upon itself to form a long tube. Fasten chicken wire to itself to prevent tube from unrolling. You may need snip wire to fasten.

Step 3: Shape tube into a circle with seam on the inside. Fasten one end inside the other end by cutting and twisting the chicken wire into itself.  Perfect the circle by continuing to shape and applying pressure.

Step 4: Make a hole in the sphagnum moss to accommodate succulent. Remove soil from succulent root ball and insert in hole. If the wire is in the way just snip it so it will allow the succulent to fit. Pin succulent in place with 3-inch wire folded into a U shape.

Step 5: As your living wreath continues to grow, snip off pieces and plug the wreath. Grow horizontally (flat on a table) for about 6 weeks. Then your succulents will be well rooted and can also be displayed vertically. Water 1-2 times a week. Fertilize with liquid fertilizer once every four weeks.

Step 6: Admire your Work!