In August, our gardens are alive with colour and scent – but a fair few plants have become a little unruly, including one of the star players of the climbing world, wisteria.
At this time of year, wisteria benefits from a summer prune – a haircut that keeps its whippy, newer shoots in check, that can otherwise become wayward and messy.
A lighter prune over the summer (save the harder prune for January/February) helps to control the plant’s growth and maintains its shape – but also encourages that all-important spring flowering next year.
But before you pop those pruned wisteria shoots and tendrils in your garden waste bin this month, you might want to hold onto them for a nifty recycling project.
Mili Ward-Beazley, who goes by @good.garden.club on Instagram, has shared a clever solution for this garden waste – using them to form the beginnings of a Christmas wreath.
How to make a wreath using pruned wisteria
It may seem early but this is a great way to plan ahead and use what’s already growing in your garden, rather than foraging for natural materials in a few months' time – especially, as Mili says, if you’re “someone who loves decorating.”
She explains: “It might sound mad but, yes, I’m preparing for Christmas in August."
“I find unwanted wisteria tendrils can be strong and durable, and actually pretty good for winding into a wreath base.”
She explains, start by simply snipping off the strong, new growth that you don’t want to keep. After, strip the leaves and wind the stems around each other to create a circular structure.
Then, there you have it, the foundations of a classic wreath structure.
“I love making wreaths in December – and I’m well aware it’s a heatwave and I should be enjoying the warm sunny weather – but as someone who loves decorating and is always planning ahead, I’m pretty chuffed with this.”
While the balmy weather outside might scream anything but Christmas, this handy tip is a good lesson that it's never too early to get planning – especially when it means recycling pieces from the garden (and saving some money on a wreath base in the process).
Pruning essentials
McGregor McGregor Bypass Secateurs Pruner
Standard Straight Grass, hedges & shrubs Shears
Burgon & Ball Burgon & Ball Love the glove Polyester Red Gardening gloves Medium, Pair
Lizzie is the multiplatform editor at Country Living, where you’ll find her writing about unique property market finds and dreamy UK staycation spots. Her specialisms include interiors, property, wildlife, travel, slow living and more. Previously, she’s written for Metro, Evening Standard, Ideal Home, Woman & Home and various other home and lifestyle titles. Lizzie studied English Literature at University of Liverpool, where she also was a writer and editor for her uni paper.
