Project
Cherry Blossom and Dogwood Arrangement
Jump-start spring by forcing branches of early-flowering trees and shrubs. (Read our tips on how to force successfully.) Massed at eye level in a rustic trough, pink cherry blossoms join white dogwood and spirea to give armchair nature lovers a breath of fresh air. The branches stand in chicken wire that has been bent to fit the container's liner. Moss and lichen from a florist mask the wire support in sylvan style.
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- Watertight liners
- Watertight containers
- Gloves
- Wire cutters
- Sheet moss
- Lichen
- Cherry blossom, dogwood, and spirea branches
- Garden shears
- Water picks
Steps
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Step 1 of 7
Place watertight liners in a container. Fill liners two-thirds full with tepid water.
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Step 2 of 7
Wearing gloves and using wire cutters, snip a square of chicken wire that is twice the size of the liner opening. Crumple wire to fit snugly into space to act as a frog.
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Step 3 of 7
Spread sheet moss to cover tops of liners and wire. If liners are visible through slats in sides of container, put lichen between liners and container walls. -
Step 4 of 7Clip cherry, dogwood, and spirea branches, staggering their heights. With bypass garden shears, cut them at a 45-degree angle and slit them vertically.
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Step 5 of 7
Push branches through moss until firmly anchored in wire.
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Step 6 of 7
Decorate sides of container if desired: Insert individual blossoms (such as these dogwood flowers) into water picks. Twist wire ends of flower picks around stems, then insert picks into slats of trough.
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Step 7 of 7
Lift edges of moss every other day to check water level and replenish as needed.
Cherry Blossom and Dogwood Arrangement
Russell's Monday Dinner Centerpiece
Beautiful and Lovely!