Wreath Building
Affix a length of sturdy wire to the outermost ring of the wreath form if a chain for hanging isn't included.

Tools and Materials
1 concave wire box wreath form (8 to 24 inches) with lid, 2 concave living-wreath forms, or 1 tubular wreath form
Monofilament
Spray mister filled with water
Enough sheet moss to cover the back of the wreath, plus more to fill gaps between plants
Slow-release fertilizer
5-pound bag of lightweight potting-soil mix
Small-leafed or dwarf plants
Gardening shears or scissors
Floral pins (optional)

Wreath Building How-To
1. If you're using a wreath form with a lid, attach the lid. If you're using 2 concave living-wreath forms, wire them securely together to form a doughnut shape similar to the tubular form, shown below.

2. Tie a spool of monofilament to the outside ring of the form. Mist sheet moss until it becomes pliable. Cover the back of the form with pieces of sheet moss to form a bed.

3. Secure the moss by wrapping the monofilament around the form's back and through the center of the doughnut.

4. Add fertilizer to potting soil, and then place the mixture within the moss bed. Begin placing the plants within the frame according to the look you want. (The ferns shown here were planted in a repeating pattern, whereas those in the evergreen wreath on the previous page were carefully placed to create an asymmetrical yet balanced look.) For larger plants, you may need to loosen the roots and then flatten them with your palm. Fit the plants snugly together.

5. Cover the roots and any gaps with more potting-soil mixture. Add a layer of moss on top. Secure all plants by wrapping the form in monofilament (if you're making a moss wreath, the moss will eventually grow over the monofilament). Tie monofilament to wreath form to secure, and trim end. Tack down loose stems with floral pins if necessary.

6. Fill a large tub with water, and soak the wreath for 10 minutes. Drain before hanging.

Wreath Watering
Sheet moss dries out extremely quickly, especially outdoors, so be vigilant about watering, by soaking the wreath (see step 6). Misting or spraying is not recommended because it forces the plant roots to reach for the surface of the wreath. To encourage uniform growth, turn the wreath occasionally. Prune the plants when needed to maintain the wreath's shape.