We are gearing up for our annual Wreath Workshop.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with the workshop, I will tell you more.  Every first Saturday of December, the Master Gardeners (MGs) hold a workshop where the public pays to come in and make fresh wreaths out of materials gathered from the garden.

Every year, we try to think outside the box and find a new plant or pod that will dry nicely to adorn the wreaths made at the workshop.  Just last year, we discovered that Sedum 'Autumn Joy' works well as a decoration.  We cut the flowers with a bit of stem and then dry them.  There is a small team of MGs who will spray paint the decorations.  It turned out the sedum were stunning in the metallic colors and a big hit at the workshop.

Sedum 'Autumn Joy' and rose hips. (photo by Jennifer Baumbach)

The flowers and materials vary every year.  This year it looks like we will have an abundance of hydrangea flowers, but are very low on the agapanthus inflorescences.  These agapanthus inflorescences look like fireworks that have burst, especially after we spray them red or gold.

Besides using plant materials, the MGs gather other items like feathers, shells, dried fruit, interesting twigs or bark to add to the plethora of natural materials used for the wreath decorations.  If you know of something interesting and good to use, let us know!

Dried hydrangea flowers and curly willow twigs. (photo by Jennifer Baumbach)

This year the Wreath Workshop will be held on December 3 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Buck Mansion in Vacaville.  The cost of the workshop is $45.00 and entitles the participant to create one wreath.  The fee covers the metal wreath frame, paddle wire, bow, greens, natural decorations, and refreshments-made by the Master Gardeners.  For more information contact me at 707-784-1321 or jmbaumbach@ucdavis.edu.