And the winner is…

I am thrilled to announce the winner of my first ever MarthaLynnKale.com CHALLENGE!  Gilbert’s living wreath was a huge hit and Meghan came in a close 2nd.  With very little direction all of my WREATH CHALLENGE participants came up with some gorgeous (and creative!) wreaths.  Looking forward to the next CHALLENGE and I guess I should go sweet talk Gilbert to see if he wants to take me with him to Uchi or Swifts Attic with his prizes (a girl can dream).  Scroll to the bottom for his step by step on how he made this incredible wreath!

LIVING WREATH HOW TO

Materials:
Standard wire wreath starter frame from Michaels
17 feet of bendable copper coated wire from Home Depot
Can of brown spray paint
Peat Moss
Dirt
My beautiful array of succulents  from The Natural Gardner and East Austin Succulents

STEP ONE:  I cut, molded and attached the extra wire to the existing pre made wreath frame to create a 3D cage like frame to hold and house the dirt, moss and plants.

STEP TWO:  I sprayed brown to make it blend in with the moss, once that was dry I packed and build a “ground like” home to plant the succulents into! I formed all the peat moss into the frame and packed very tightly.

STEP THREE:  I scooped holes into the wreath and started plating the succulents wherever my heart desired. Working with the cacti was not easy (ouch!)

MAINTENANCE:  Keep as such, water accordingly, maybe plant the entire thing into the ground or dismantle and re plant the plants into new and exciting ways (I have already replanted all of them into new containers!)