This DIY bottle brush wreath is an easy and fun way to dress up a fresh or artificial wreath for your front door this holiday season.
While thinking about ways to liven up this beautiful but plain evergreen wreath I thought about all the other woodland projects I have been creating lately. Like the little woodland scene in my Mason Jar Luminary post.
Why not create a grove of trees inside this wreath as if it were a frame?
This post contains some affiliate links (that means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, there's no additional cost to you, but I will earn a very small commission. ) i.e. as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
How to Make a Bottle Brush Wreath
Gather several different sizes of bottle brush trees. Some of these were leftover years past and some were from my snow globe project. The white ones are new tree picks from Hobby Lobby.
I wanted to make the trees a little more cohesive so I used a little white craft paint and a stiff brush to add more white to the green and blue trees.
Create a base for the trees
Cut out a piece of sturdy cardboard the length of the inside of the wreath you are using and about 2 inches deep. Paint the cardboard black or dark green so that it doesn't show in the wreath.
Next, glue the trees to the cardboard with the tallest in the middle and shorter trees in front and on the sides. Consider cutting off the bases to give them different heights.
Attach the bottle brush tree village to the base of your wreath with more hot glue.
Then arrange the branches below to cover the base slightly.
How to Create Winter Planters
To complement the wreath I created two flanking winter containers using fresh and artificial stems.
Keeping in mind the Thriller, Spiller and Filler theory for container gardening, I started with some tall willow branches in the middle. I thought about spray painting them white to go with the wreath and I still may do it.
Next, I tucked in some cypress branches that naturally weep and spill over the edge.
Various pine branches are then set in all around as the Filler.
Note: You can buy all of this at the big box stores.
The final touch is a flocked pine cone bush also from Hobby Lobby, to complement the white in the wreath.
My front porch is all set for winter. Simple and natural just the way I like it with a few artificial pieces thrown in for color and whimsy.
What are your plans for decorating this season?
P.S. Last year I made a different type of fresh and faux winter wreath that you may also like. If you have access to a lot of evergreens you may want to make your own evergreen wreath. Finally, if you love working with greens check out this 18 Ways to Decorate with Fresh Evergreens post.
Click Here to Save to Pinterest!
Carole West
Your front porch always looks so inviting and I love this one, simple and elegant. The little group of trees was a neat way to jazz up that wreath. The cedar, oh how I miss and love fresh cedar, it's the best scent this time of year. Growing up we had huge cedar trees at the side of the road so I would just go out and pick what I wanted to help decorate. My mom was big into Christmas decorating and as I reached my teenage years I was allowed to help and I always went for more greens and pine cones and had the front door area to myself to make presentable. It was fun!
Patti Estep
Thanks Carole. I have some cedar in the yard but not much. Most of these came straight from Home Depot. However, I also think you could get a similar effect with all the artificial greens available in craft stores now. They look more and more like the real thing every year.
Jody
I like simple. Not too many steps to make it. This is so cute.
Patti Estep
Thanks Jody. It was pretty easy and I like the simple look too.