St John's Wort Fresh Wreath DIY Project Idea

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Making a fresh wreath from herbs is a great way to clean out your garden as well as create beautiful, fresh wreaths in your home for the fall. This year, I had so many herb bushes that I wanted to make a wreath. Today, I'll show you how I created my St. John's Wort Fresh Wreath DIY project. Follow along and see how easy it is to make it.

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What inspired me to create this St John's Wort Fresh Wreath DIY Project?
What supplies did I use to make this Fresh Wreath DIY Project Idea?
How much did it cost to make this Fresh Wreath DIY Project Idea?
How long did it take to make the Fresh Wreath DIY Project Idea?
How did I make this St John's Wort Fresh Wreath DIY Project?
What can be done with St. John's Wort leaves?
Tips on making this St John's Wort Fresh Wreath DIY Project Idea
The Big Reveal

What inspired me to create this St John's Wort Fresh Wreath DIY Project?

My inspiration for creating this St. John's Wort Fresh wreath came from the need to trim the long, lanky branches and leaves at the end of the season. They grow back beautifully each year, and I have had this plant on my cobblestone walkway edge for over 20 years. To minimize overgrowth, cutting it back at the end of the season is essential.

What supplies did I use to make this Fresh Wreath DIY Project Idea?

The supplies for this DIY project are pretty easy and few. Supplies used:

12-inches Wreath Couronne by Ashland - Nobel - Although this one was discontinued, you can use any of the wire wreath forms I found on Amazon (affiliate).
Floral Wire 26 gauge 3 inches 3-inch pieces (affiliate)
Wire clippers (affiliate) or Scissors
8-inch large faux sunflower flat back for crafts with a hook (affiliate)
3 feet or so of orange ribbon, 1 inch thick (affiliate)
St. John's Wort branches and leaves cut from the garden to use for the wreath. I cut off more than I needed.

Please note these are affiliate links through Amazon (affiliate) and at no additional cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you decide to make a purchase.

a display on a table of the Supplies listed in the post

How much did it cost to make this Fresh Wreath DIY Project Idea?

The cost for this project was negligible, but adding the sunflower, wire wreath frame, and wire used would bring the total to about $5.00.

How long did it take to make the Fresh Wreath DIY Project Idea?

This project took me about 2 hours to do. I could have added more layers, but I chose not to because the final wreath would be placed between two doors, and I didn't want to press it.

How did I make this St John's Wort Fresh Wreath DIY Project?

First, here is what my plant looked like that lined my walkway. It was terrific, and several of the branches had plant offshoots, which helped the wreath be more robust.

before saint johns wort bush along the walkway

I cut the branches as long as possible and carefully selected the ones with the best-looking leaves, avoiding those with noticeable brown spots. I created a pile and brought it inside to work on my project.

Then, I cut several 3-inch wire pieces to use for holding the live plant in place on the wreath. By using the wire, I will be able to take it apart later and reuse the frame for a new wreath next year.

Now, I took the longest branches first, and tied the branch to the wire at least 3 times at different points around the wreath. Then, worked my way around with the other branches, being sure to hide the end branch piece under the leaves.

Two hands wrapping wire around the wreath and branch

Next, I moved over a little bit and started the next row to create a fuller wreath. I continued to do this for at least four layers.

Wreath with one layer of branch attached to it

I then added my faux sunflower to the top center, which had a hook in the back. Using a small piece of wire, I secured the hook to the wreath frame.

a hand is tying the sunflower to the wreath

Optional: Add the ribbon. I made a knot with the ribbon behind the sunflower and hung it down evenly.

What can be done with St. John's Wort leaves?

Below are some suggestions for these leaves after you cut them.

Dry the St. John's Wort plant leaves. Lay them out flat on the counter or screen for a few hours.
You can make infused oil with them. Place the dried plant leaves in a jar and cover with olive oil (affiliate). Let it sit for at least 4 weeks. - NOTE: Only do this if you have not used pesticides on the plant. You can use their flowers for medicinal purposes too. Watch this video, from A Homestead Life, where she shows how to infuse oil. Consult your healthcare professional before ingesting any St. John's Wort.
Leave it alone, bumble bees love the flowers. I have two of these bushes in different forms, and they love the flowers.

Tips on making this St John's Wort Fresh Wreath DIY Project Idea

Below are some additional tips you may want to read before doing this project.

I found that the pieces with the offshoots worked well because they made the wreath look larger and deeper in size.
You can try this with several herb branches to give different textures. Rosemary leaves, parsley, lemon balm, and basil would work.

Don't want to make your own or don't have a garden? Check out this one I found on Amazon (affiliate).