Make a Cherry Blossom Wreath for Easter

Cherry blossoms are usually associated with Japan; the vibrant pink buds adorning trees all over the nation. In Washington, D.C., a cherry blossom festival is held every spring during the last week of March. Even if you do not have a cherry blossom tree in your yard, you can still enjoy the blossoms in the form of a wreath for Easter. Wreaths are always pretty for the spring but this one will not only attract admirers but also make your home feel as if it has been transported to an exotic location as the earth comes to life once again. In Japan, cherry blossoms are a symbol of fleeting life since they fall quickly from the trees once they have blossomed. Yet the beauty of the flowers can be appreciated anywhere in the world, and by using silk flowers, your wreath can be used again and again for following spring seasons.

To make this wreath you will need:

5 stems of silk cherry blossoms (try your local silk flower supplier or an online one such as Afloral.com or The White Aisle

one 12" or 14" green vine wreath form

green floral wire

wire cutters

pliers

one piece of 18" long, 2" wide solid white paper ribbon (with a satin sheen)

Place the wreath form on the table in front of you. If it has been used before, remove any floral stems from it or other decorations. Take one silk flower stem and remove any excess stem, making sure none of the blossoms are removed. Use the pliers to crimp the end of the stem so that no sharp edges remain. Stick part of the stem through the wire form and arrange the cherry blossoms so that they go with the natural curve of the wreath, anchoring any smaller branches on the stem to the wreath form with green floral wire. Tuck any wire ends underneath so that they are not visible on top. Once the first stem is in place to your liking, continue securing the other cherry blossom stems to the wreath in the same manner. Make sure that each stem of blossoms overlaps with the next stem so that there are no obvious empty spaces in the wreath.

Once all of the cherry blossom stems are wired into place, adding the bow is the next step. Take the length of white paper ribbon and form a bow with it. Anchor it to one end of the wreath with a small piece of green floral wire. Your cherry blossom wreath is now ready to be hung inside your home, or on the front porch.