The Master Gardeners of Hamilton County, in association with the University of Tennessee Extension, continue their public gardening classes online via Zoom during the current pandemic. Experienced Master Gardeners will present “Creating Live Wreaths & Holiday Decorations” on Saturday at 10 a.m.
Registration is required to receive the Zoom link for this public class:
https://tennessee.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJApcOiurTMpHtXfkm-Y3PNFB961c0DMWxe2
In this popular holiday class, Master Gardeners Carol Mathews, Karen Webster and Connie Giles will demonstrate how to create holiday decorations – wreaths, swags and table displays -- using live greenery from the garden, along with natural accents and ornamental ribbon bows.
Ms. Mathews said, “Nothing creates that special holiday spirit like the smell of natural greens throughout your home and around your front door. For several years, MGHC has offered a class in making holiday decorations with natural materials from our gardens. Owing to current circumstance, this year’s class will be held over Zoom, which allows us to expand the number of participants who can watch or create along with us.”
To join this class, register at the MGHC site and gather the list of supplies listed below.
GREENERY: Any evergreen is useable – pine, spruce, cryptomeria, boxwood, nandina, magnolia leaves, cedar, junipers, Leyland cypress, and the arborvitaes. For additional appeal consider contrasting texture and fragrance.
EMBELLISHMENTS: Natural embellishments can include seed pods, pinecones berries on cedar or nandina, nuts, magnolia leaves, and dried okra pods. These can be used naturally or spray painted to add color and interest. We also will show you how to make fancy bows, so have some ribbon on hand.
WREATH BASE: A grapevine or wire wreath base from a local craft store works the best. Shapes other than round also work well. Use your imagination.
SUPPLIES: Florist wire, pruners, wire cutters or strong scissors. A selection of attractive pretty ribbon will be the other supplies needed. A hot glue gun is an option to attach some of the embellishments.
Celebrating 25 years of education and service in 2019, the Master Gardeners of Hamilton County is a non-profit, educational, volunteer organization that plays an important role in the civic life of Chattanooga and the surrounding area. MGHC sponsors annual events open to the public including: “Master Your Garden” Garden Expo, Spring Garden Tour, Hamilton County Fair Exhibit. Among the many ongoing landscaping and garden partnerships undertaken by MGHC are: Alpine Crest Outdoor Learning Center & Gardens, Aquarium Butterfly & Hummingbird Garden, Bonny Oaks Arboretum, Brainerd Community Garden, Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Chattanooga Zoo, Crabtree Farms, McCoy Farm & Garden, Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center, and St. Albans Community Rose Garden.