Garlandgirls at the University Botanic Gardens

We had a great afternoon in the Potting Shed at the University of Bristol Botanic Garden, making long garlands for our fireplaces and staircases.  Here is a pic of my garlandgirls with their finished swags.  Thanks everyone for a great afternoon.   

University of Bristol Botanic Garden garlandgirls

Last night's swag workshop....

Here's a pic of all the garlandgirls from last nights swag workshop at Clifton High.  A good time was had by all....

Clifton High garlandgirls December 2013

What's coming out of the workshop....

Busy day yesterday but thought we would just post a few shots of some of the products coming out of the workshop.  Here is a nice swag in silver with blue.

fireplace swag winter white and blue

And here are a couple of Rose and Chrysanthemum Wreaths.  The pink one is currently on the door of garland HQ..... 


Rose and Chrysanthemum Wreath - Red



Rose and Chrysanthemum Wreath - Pink



Orange and Cinnamon Wreath

Cyber Monday is upon us and we are all busy in the workshop making up our first batch of orders for despatch later today.  The Orange and Cinnamon Wreath is again our best seller at this point in the season, as it was last year



Orange and Cinnamon Wreath

But these are early days... 

Christmas Wreath and Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project

We were at Bristol Zoo yesterday with the Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project running our workshop on Creating Christmas Wreaths.  Mandy Leivers, the education officer, kindly hosted this event , and we spent a lovely day making some really beautiful Chrismas Wreaths and walking on the Downs learning about the history and folklore that surrounds the foliage we use at Christmas.   We have run this course many times here  and it was a great success with everyone taking home beautiful work.  It really was a good day. 

Here we are with our finished wreaths 

This is the fourth year that greengarland have worked with the Project and we are very proud to be associated with them. The Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project is in its eleventhyear and is a collaboration funded  by Bristol City Council, Bristol Zoo Gardens, Natural England, University of Bristol, Society of Merchant Venturers, the Downs Committee and the Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation, and work in partnership with the National Trust (phew). Their work celebrates the outstanding wildlife interests of the Avon Gorge and Downs and works to secure its future.


Mandy has inspired almost a whole generation of children (including mine who are now in their teens) to appreciate and enjoy the diversity and uniqueness of the Downs.  My garden is full of insect hides and bird boxes that my boys have made on some of Mandy's courses when they were younger, and we have as a family spent many happy hours listening for birds, hugging trees, hunting for rare moths and identifying some of the unique species that grow there on the wide range of walks, talks and courses that they run all year round.

So many hanks to Mandy and the project for hosting us again.  It was a really great group to work with and the finished wreaths were all brilliant.  Until next time....   

Happy Thanksgiving to all our American friends

Today may seem like a normal Thursday but it is fact Thanksgiving Day so in the last few days have been busy making up our Thanksgiving Orders. This Bay, Rosemary and Kumquat wreath has proved very popular - and today we will be out and about delivering these lovely fragrant wreaths to those celebrating Thanksgiving today.


Bay, rosemary and kumquat wreath

      So, whether for you its Thanksgiving or merely Thursday, have a good one...... s     

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