It is mid September and that is the perfect time to make wreaths with all the overgrown herbs in your garden.
The nice thing about making an herb wreath is the fragrance that surrounds your enterprise! I was enveloped in sage- aroma, oils and thoughts (hopefully) whilst making these wreaths. The sage wreath turned into a heart- it was predetermined in its growth pattern. The artemesia was happy to be a circle.
Next, I’m making lemongrass wreaths!
Where did you learn all these crafting skills? They are exquisite Heidi! I have never seen herb wreaths before, is it something that you have evolved yourself?
Well, my parents owned a greenhouse business and my mother taught me florist skills- working with flowers, making bows, wiring, etc. And I’ve always loved the history of herbs, so I got books on still rooms and the use of herbs. Williamsburg,VA is a historically correct town, and they have a beautiful Colonial style of making wreaths that I have paid close attention to in the making of my wreaths.
I have been making them for about the last 25-30 years, so I guess some of this has evolved over that time. I like making culinary herb wreaths and using them over the winter months – pinching off a piece here and there- so I have to make new ones every year.
They are really simple to make, just pick a lot of your chosen herb, have a supply of very thin wire, and follow the contours of the stems. Lay them flat to dry, then add rafia twine or a small ribbon to dress them up a little.
I bet they smell gorgeous. Not sure it would be so cost effective if I bought all my herbs at the shop. Culinary herb wreaths- So they just hang in your kitchen somewhere? Lovely, lovely, lovely…
Thankyou for satisfying my curiosity. I hope I wasn’t being too nosey 🙂 Do you know how to distill essential oils and stuff like that too? I remember Celia was trying to make peppermint essence at one point, I don’t know how far she got. I was reading about herb jellies the other day as a way of storing herbs. I might try that, though my herbs are looking bit raggedy right now. I bought a lemon verbena plant and it isn’t very happy, I don’t know whether to cut it right back and tuck it in the cold frame for the winter. I would like it to live very much. Do you have any suggestions?
No Brydie,
They probably wouldn’t be very cost effective if you have to buy your herbs at the shop.
They are hanging in my family room, actually, because the kitchen is much more humid with all the cooking going on.
Although I am using one as a candle ring on the top of a vase that I put a huge pillar candle in and I have crumbled off some thyme and and a bit of fennel leaf and parsley from that one.
Joanna,
I have tried to distill rose oil and found that I don’t have the equipment. I did manage to make some rose beads from the brown petals ( these beads were historically where rosary beads came from.)
I found chopping up fresh herbs and freezing them in a little water in an ice cube tray keeps them very well.
Lemon verbena will winter over in a cold bed if your winter’s aren’t too severe. I kept one in the basement under grow lights one year when I grew extremely attached to it. 🙂 Cut off the tops and dry them for tea or potpourri, but leave the bottom part of it intact and it should do well.
I Love lemon verbena. And lemongrass- I love lemon- even lemon balm , which is basically a weed.
( And not too nosy at all- questions are always welcome.
You make beautiful wreaths. Its hard to see where you take a piece off here and there.
Heidi, they’re so gorgeous! Lemongrass grows like a weed here, and I’m never quite sure what to do with it – although I am now! 🙂