The hydrangea wreath season is now upon us

All the hydrangeas in the garden and at the allotment were harvested about two weeks ago.  We have since been busy making up the hydrangea wreaths which are now on sale in the on line shop .  They are very nearly dry and ready for packing.

It has been a busy couple of weeks.  We spent a day last week with the BBC Countryfile Magazine team preparing a guide to making a traditional Christmas wreath for their December edition.  Lots of close up shots of my hands (!)   Will post some pictures and links as soon as they are back from the production team.

The wreath and garland order s are already starting to come in.We are also doing courses in both Wreath making and garland making again this year hosted again at two great venues -  University of Bristol Botanic Garden and Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Trust  .  Check out the workshop page for more details and booking information.  

Nominate greengarland for an Observer Ethical Award

Here at greengarland we are very proud that we make our wreaths and garlands with locally grown or sourced, compostable materials, and deliver them in recycled, recyclable boxes.  We make some wreaths here at garland HQ entirely from materials from our garden and allotment.

Hydrangea Wreaths

We were also totally chuffed to have been included in The Guardian/Observer Wish List with our Hydrangea Wreath which is made from locally grown hydrangeas and willow.

 Please nominate us for an Observer Ethical Award.  Go to our website and follow the link from the “Nominate us ” button on the front page and nominate greengarland for this award.  It takes about 30 seconds and you will also be entered into a draw that could win you a holiday in India. Make greengarland your ethical hero.  Voting closes on Friday 22^nd  March.

Many thanks Sue 

The wreath on the door of Garland HQ

rose and chrysanthemum wreath 

There are two questions that we get asked every year.  They are

Q 1.  How many wreaths do you make in a season ?

A       Don't know.  Too daunting to count at the beginning of the season, and just toooo tired to count at the end.

Q 2.  What wreath do you have on YOUR door.

A   It changes - this year we have had a succession of wreaths - starting out with last year's best seller, the Orange and Cinnamon...and then a rather lovely Mini Apple and Cinnamon (see below).  But some of our prototype experiments go on the door here at Garland HQ too.  The rose and chrysanthemum one above was a happy accident between a lovely bunch of flowers given to us by Mandy at the Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project after our lovely day there making swags.  I think this one should go on the 2013 new product shortlist.  We shall see.  

apple and cinnamon wreath

  
We are nearly there now.  Just a couple more orders to sort and my own staircase and fireplaces to finish. Hopefully the light will be good enough to post some shots.  We shall see....

Making garlands at the Zoo on Saturday

We are very much looking forward to Saturday (15th) as we will be hosted again by the Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project at Bristol Zoo Gardens.  Our  workshop, Creating Christmas Garlands still has a few places if you would like to join us to make a 1.5 m swag (like the one below).  Its a lovely day with the workshop in the morning, the  chance to eat your packed lunch in the Zoo Garden followed by a 

nice brisk walk on the Downs with Mandy Leivers, the Education Officer to discover the history and folklore of seasonal foliage.  Booking through Mandy  at mleivers@bristolzoo.org.uk or phone on 0117 9030609. 

greengarland hydrangea wreath makes it to The Guardian Wish List

greengarland hydrangea wreath 

We are very happy here at garland HQ today.  Our hydrangea wreath has made it onto the Guardian Life and Style Wish List .  It also appears in today's edition of the Observer Magazine :)

Whats coming out of the workshop this week...

Orange and Cinnamon Wreath

This week has been busy but good.  We started on Saturday with a great day for the Whiteladies Road Farmers Market.  Cold and clear.  Lovely.  Ever since we have been in the workshop making up  and despatching orders locally, nationally and even one to Venice.

The wreaths sort of evolve as the season progresses so got the camera out and took a couple of photos of what we have been up to in the last few days.  This Orange and Cinnamon Wreath smells really good.  As does the Traditional Red Wreath below.

Traditional Red Wreath

We were at the market again at 5 a.m. buying  lovely fresh Welsh blue pine as we are working on a 18 meter monster swag to decorate a dining hall and staircase in a country house in Somerset.  We are going for a gold and orange theme with hints of rosemary and cinnamon.Will post some pictures of that work in progress later.

Sending Christmas to Scotland

This weekend we have been busy in the workshop making up the first order for

Christmas Wreaths and Swags in progress

Country House Interiors, in Castle Douglas, Scotland. We have been collaborating with Mhairi McPhee who owns two fabulous shops in this lovely town in Dumfries and Galloways. We have been making a collection of wreaths and swags to decorate the shops and grace the doors and fireplaces of the good folk of Castle Douglas.  

We have designed a lovely themed set - fragrant with apple and cinnamon and lovely tartan ribbons.  We are really very pleased with them and hope they will be too.

Swags and wreaths for Country House Interiors

They are now all boxed up ready for the courier to collect them.  The trickiest bit was finding boxes big and strong enough to take them all.  It really would have been nice to have loaded up the car and driven them there, but that, I guess is for another day.

Christmas wreaths and swags for Mhairi

Well that, and the fact that I don't seem to be able to take any photos with the iPad without photographing my thumb or my foot.  Never mind.  Off to Scotland.  Let me know when they arrive, Mhairi.