For the past few years, I have wanted to participate in the Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve native plant wreath workshop. I always seemed to miss the registration. But this year, I finally signed up! Check out the results.

Bowman’s Hill provided all supplies, but they also invited participants to BYO native plants. So before the workshop, I harvested some goodies.

I brought along red chokberries and seed heads from anise hyssop (a goldfinch favorite), clustered mountain mint, purple cone flower (another goldfinch favorite), little blue stem, and others.

The workshop was well-organized, fun, and educational. I appreciated that we didn’t just make a wreath. Education Manager Santino Lauricella also gave us mini lessons on the materials we were using (white pine, eastern red cedar, American holly, rose mallow, pine cones, seat oats, and goldenrod). In addition, I really just enjoyed being there—holiday music was playing, and there was a “fire” projected on the presentation screen. There were even snacks! Seems cheesy, I know, but I guess I needed a break from the news cycle…which just reinforces how important nature is to our well-being.

I am not crafty, so I was not confident my wreath would look any good. But if I do say so myself, I think it turned out well!

Once the season is over, I can leave this outside and let the birds enjoy the greens and seeds.

This is definitely something I would do again next year. I feel confident I could do it on my own, but since I enjoyed the workshop so much, I might sign up for the experience again.

Happy Holidays. And leave the leaves!

Additional Notes

You might recall that I started a Climate Change Reading Group back in the summer. Next up is Robin Wall Kimmerer’s The Serviceberry. If you’re looking for a short but meaningful read, that might be for you!

And don’t forget! If you want regular native plant garden/suburban wildlife habitat updates sent right to your email, subscribe to The Bud Watch (see “subscribe” button in lower right-hand corner!

Looking for some cool native plant garden/suburban wildlife habitat swag? Check our native plant gardener and activist Benjamin Vogt’s gear (click “books and shirts” from the top menu). I now have four “leave the leaves” Tees, so I can wear one every other day. :-)

Views my own.