A garden would not be southern if not for hydrangeas. The sunset shades of pink, purple, and blue add early summer color to gardens fading from spring’s early sunshine. Hydrangea blossoms last for days inside when arranged in a vase filled with water or you can enjoy them forever when you attach them to a simple straw wreath and allow the flowers to dry in place. I purchase these straw wreaths from Goodwill or other thrift stores for around .50 to $1.00.
I prefer a straw wreath, but you can buy a wire wreath form and fill it in with moss. Be sure and stuff it very full and tight to give you resistance when pushing the pins in. Wreaths come in a multitude of sizes and shapes and provide you with lots of options.
The other item you’ll need is floral pins. You can pick up a 2 ounce package of these u-shape pins for $1.47. I found mine at Hobby Lobby, but any craft store should have them.
Next you’ll need your flowers. I have several choices of colors in my garden and decided to go with blue as the core color with a hint of pink for added interest. Cut blossoms from your hydrangea bushes or you can purchase cut blooms at local grocery stores. I’ve found them at Whole Foods, Publix, and Bi-Lo here in the upstate of South Carolina. If you don’t have hydrangeas available, you can use roses instead.
Although I didn’t use it in this wreath, you might want to gather some baby’s breath. I keep mine from the floral arrangements I’ve been given, and also plant Euphorbia each year in containers. It dries beautifully and looks great in cut arrangements. I also use raffia and shear ribbon (in a complimentary color to my blossoms) to make a decorative hanger.