For all natural wreaths especially, gathering a rich variety of greens, twigs, berries, and cones is important. A plain balsam ring with some pine cones is a pretty sad statement. A continuing problem has been acquiring interesting pines, firs, junipers (which can be unpleasantly prickly), rose hips (same thorny problem), and anything with a blue tint. Recently, in a Garden Club online arranging session with member Nancy Cyr, we saw her use a tool called a rose stripper, designed to strip thorns from roses but more useful, she said, to strip the bottoms of evergreen branches so they can be put into vases as part of an arrangement without submerging needles under water. This was an AHA! moment. Handling some of our more difficult greens with the help of a rose stripper may save on bandages later. Next year … Below is a wreath from 2010.
