How to Make a Cotswold Country Wreath
There’s something so peaceful about gathering natural bits and pieces and turning them into something beautiful for your home. A handmade wreath is the essence of the countryside — rustic, textured, and full of charm. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to make a classic country wreath using fresh materials that will dry beautifully over time.
Living here in the Cotswolds, I’m surrounded by inspiration for projects like this — twisting lanes lined with hedgerows, fields dotted with seed heads, and gardens that seem to spill over with texture even in winter. I love using what’s already growing around me, whether it’s ivy from an old stone wall, dried alliums from the garden, or rose hips gathered on a frosty morning. Each wreath feels like a little reflection of the landscape — wild, simple, and perfectly imperfect.
Whether you hang it on your front door for Christmas or keep it up all year, this simple wreath will bring a touch of the Cotswolds indoors.
Materials You’ll Need
- Straw wreath base – around 35 cm (14″)
- Paper-covered wire and green floral wire
- Mossing pins – to secure the final few posies when the wreath becomes full
- Scissors or secateurs
- Bow or ribbon for decoration (or make your own crochet bow)
Greenery
- Ivy
- Fir or pine
- Eucalyptus
- Boxwood
- Any fresh, flexible foliage that will dry well
Texture
- Seed pods
- Dried grasses
- Queen Anne’s lace
- Old Man’s Beard (clematis seed heads)
- Allium heads
- Any dried material from the garden that isn’t colourful but adds shape or softness
Colourful Accents
- Rose hips
- Berries
- Dried flowers
- Dried citrus slices (orange, lemon, lime)
- Dried apple slices
Tip: Use fresh materials that will dry naturally. They’ll keep their shape and continue to look lovely as the wreath ages.
Before You Begin: Finding Your Greenery
Half the joy of making a wreath lies in gathering the materials. You can use what’s growing right outside your door — ivy trailing over garden walls, holly and fir from your hedges, or any evergreen branches from your garden. A few sprigs collected on a countryside walk will make it feel even more personal.
If you prefer, you can also source greenery and dried flowers from your local florist or farm shop. Mixing textures makes all the difference — try combining soft greenery like eucalyptus or cypress with more structural elements such as seed pods, dried grasses, or berries.
If you’re collecting from the wild, snip gently and take just a little from each plant. Always check that foraging is permitted in your area. Once home, lay everything out and let it rest somewhere cool overnight. The stems will become more pliable and easier to work with the next day.
Step 1: Gather and Prepare
Lay out all your materials before you start. Snip each stem into manageable lengths — about 15–20 cm (6–8 inches).
Before attaching anything to the base, make all your posies first. Each posy is a small bundle of greenery and dried accents. I made around 30 bundles in total because mine were quite full.
To make a posy, take a small handful of 3-5 mixed greenery, 3-5 texture pieces like seed pods or grasses and 2-3 feature materials such as dried flowers or rose hips. Wrap the paper-covered wire firmly around the base of each posy and twist to secure. Repeat until you have all your bundles ready to go.
Step 2: Prepare the Hanging Loop
Before adding any greenery, make your hanging loop. Cut a long piece of paper-covered wire and fold it in half twice to create four strands. Twist the folded end to form a small loop, then place it at the top back of your straw wreath base.
Bring the two wire tails over the front and back of the wreath, crossing them neatly before twisting them tightly together again at the back. This forms a strong, hidden loop for hanging — and means you’ll always know where the top of your wreath is as you build.
(See the illustrated guide below for a step-by-step visual.)
Step 3: Start Building the Wreath
Place your wreath base flat on the table with the loop positioned at the top. Using the green floral wire, attach your first posy just below the hanging point, wrapping the wire tightly several times around both the stems and the straw. Don’t cut the wire — keep wrapping continuously as you go.
As you work, continue adding new posies so that each one slightly overlaps the previous, hiding the stems and creating a full, layered effect. Build in your feature materials — such as berries, dried citrus, or colourful seed heads — directly into the posies as you go, rather than saving them until the end. This gives the wreath a natural, balanced mix of colour and texture.
Stagger the bundles evenly around the wreath. Because the outer edge is wider than the inner edge, you may occasionally need to place two posies close together on the outside before positioning the next one inward. This helps maintain the wreath’s shape and ensures even coverage all the way around.
When the wreath becomes too full to wrap easily, switch to moss pins to secure the final few posies. Simply press a pin over each stem to hold it firmly in place. This keeps the finish neat and avoids crushing your earlier work.
Step 4: Add Finishing Details
Once your wreath is complete, take a moment to step back and check for any small gaps. Tuck in a few extra sprigs of greenery or a pop of colour where needed to perfect the balance.
If you prefer a wild and natural look, keep your bundles loose and irregular. For something tidier, trim the ends evenly once everything is secure.
Step 5: Finish with a Bow
Now for the finishing touch — a simple bow or ribbon. I used a handmade crochet bow for mine, but you can use any soft ribbon that suits your style.
Step 6: Hang and Enjoy
Give your wreath a gentle shake to check everything’s secure, then hang it somewhere cool and dry. A sheltered front door or an interior wall works perfectly.
Over the next few weeks, your greenery will dry naturally, shifting to soft tones of gold and green. When the season changes, you can refresh your wreath by adding new accents or swapping the ribbon for a new look.
Extra Tips
- Prep ahead: Cut greenery the day before so it’s easier to work with.
- Go simple: Even just a few different materials will make a beautiful wreath.
- Be sustainable: Use compostable materials or re-use what you can next year.
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