Turn dried garden flowers and seed heads into a beautiful grapevine wreath that's natural fall decor for your yard and a source of food for backyard wildlife. It's an easy and budget-friendly project that gives new life to your spent summer flowers.
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If you're like me, it's that time of year when you don't get sad when the flowers start to fade. Instead, you see new purpose in them. You probably already know that it's better to “leave the leaves” and postpone your fall cleanup. Letting dried seed heads stay on the stems provides food for birds and shelter for insects. So while I fully intend to let flowers like my amaranth and coneflowers dry out and stay a bit wild, I also decided to turn some of them into a beneficial project for backyard wildlife.
With a variety of flowers that produce seeds for birds growing in our yard, I decided to harvest some of them and turn them into multi-purpose decor - a natural seasonal wreath that can be hung outside for birds (and squirrels) to forage from. The wreath adds a little autumn color to the yard while giving wildlife another opportunity to forage for seeds. And because most of the materials came straight from the yard, it's an extremely budget-friendly project.
I wanted the wreath to feel more like an extension of the garden than traditional fall decor. So I looked around the yard for flowers that were drying and going to seed. I gathered seed heads and flowers like zinnias, coneflowers, amaranth, and sunflowers.
I added some flowers that were just starting to fade. As those flowers continue to dry out, the seeds will remain available to birds. I also added some seed heads that were already dried out, giving the wreath a variety of textures that represent different stages of the garden season.
Flowers and Seed Heads to Use for This Wreath
Take a look around your garden for flowers that are just finishing their bloom time for the season and starting to dry and produce seeds. Here are some good options:
Zinnias: If your zinnias are still blooming, make sure to leave some for the migrating butterflies. Snip the ones that are drying for this wreath.
Sunflowers: Birds and squirrels go crazy for these seed heads! They're an excellent source of food and make a nice focal point for this wreath.
Coneflowers: I have plenty of these flowers starting to dry in the garden. Their spiky seed heads add texture and food for birds.
Amaranth: The cascading seed heads add drama and texture to the wreath. The seeds are also a great source of food for birds.
Black-eyed Susans: Sturdy dried seed heads are foraged by birds.
Ornamental grasses: Add soft, movement.
Goldenrod: A star this time of year that adds nice late-season color.
You can even add other natural elements like small pinecones or acorns for a fall feel. The main focus is to look for plants that have naturally gone to seed rather than cutting flowers that are fresh and vibrant.
How to Make a Dried Flower Head Wreath for Birds
If you're looking for some fall outdoor decor that looks more natural than store-bought, this wreath is a simple way to bring a little of your garden into your seasonal decorating. Plus, using what you have growing in your garden will make your wreath unique to you.
The first step is searching for fading blooms and dried seed heads in your yard. I snipped a combination of zinnias, coneflowers, amaranth, and sunflowers. Make sure to leave a bit of stem to tuck in and secure to the wreath.
Next, I took my grapevine wreath and starting arranging the flowers where I wanted them. Then, I used natural-wrapped wire to secure the flowers and seed heads in place. You could also use twine or uncoated wire.
Layer the flowers until your desired look is achieved. Then, add a loop of twine at the top for hanging. Hang on a fence, shepherd's hook, side of a shed, or other sturdy location where birds can easily find and forage from it.
SUPPLIES
- Natural twine, uncoated wire, or natural-wrapped wire
- Dried seed heads and flowers
- 14 inch grapevine wreath
STEPS
- Gather nearly spent flowers and seed heads from your yard, leaving a bit of stem to easily attach to the wreath.
- Arrange the flowers and seed heads around the wreath. Then, use twine or wire to securely attach them.
- Continue securing the flowers and seed heads until your desired look is achieved. Leave some of the grapevine visible to add to the natural look.
- Add a loop of twine for hanging and display in your yard or garden.
I love that this wreath gives our fading flowers a new purpose. Instead of simply cleaning up the garden at the end of the season, I can leave seed heads behind for wildlife while using some to create beautiful and useful decor. It's an inexpensive way to transition your summer garden into fall decor while giving birds and squirrels another source of food.
Did you make this Dried Flower Head Wreath project? Share it on social media using the hashtag #holokahome. Don’t forget to tag me @holokahome!
