How to Make Garland From Honeysuckle Vines

Honeysuckle (Lonicera) varieties provide beauty as well as delicious scents in the wild and in backyard gardens. Native to Asia, the vines were introduced to North America early in the 1800s. They grow prominently in the eastern and southern U.S. as well as the Midwest. Growers in other climate zones have helped spread the plant westward. Although many of the plants have white, cream or pale yellow blooms, you can find them in coral, too. Making garlands from these vines is simple with floral wire.

Vines
Floral wire
Wire snippers
Ribbons
Scissors
Other flowers and greenery (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Pick several long sections of vine. Ideally, pick them on the day you plan to wear or use the garland. Make sure the plant was well watered before picking, such as the evening before. This helps ensure the vines are fresh. Choose about 3 or 4 vines for each garland you plan to make, with lengths between 3 and 6 feet.
- 2
  Cut a length of floral wire to measure about a foot longer than you think you will need. For example, if you are making a head garland, measure the circumference and add 12 inches. You won't use it all, but it's easier to work with extra wire than not enough.
- 3
  Wrap the end of 1 honeysuckle vine around 1 end of the wire. Keep the leaves facing up and outward. Secure it with a small piece of wire, if needed. Holding the wire, wrap the vine over and around the entire length of the wire. Add another vine, wrapping to fill in bare spots. Clip the excess vine, or wrap it back over itself until the length of vine is used up.
- 4
  Continue to wrap vines until you have the thickness desired. Test the circumference by holding it around your head loosely, if you plan to wear it. Make a twist in the wires to tie them together where they'll fit. If the garland is for a decoration, choose a point at which to twist the ends together to form a closed loop or circle. If you plan to drape or hang the garland, such as across a mantlepiece, don't twist the ends together, but simply tie ribbons over the vines at each end.
- 5
  Snip off any excess wired vines after twisting a small piece of wire tightly over where the last honeysuckle pieces meet at the twisted end or loop closure. This keeps them from escaping when you cut. Fill the garland by tucking in flowers, ferns and other greenery. Weave 1 or several ribbons through the garland, leaving enough to hang several feet or whatever appeals to you.

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