Herbal Treasures
Compiled by Karen Hegre
There are many unique gifts you can create from the bounty of your herb
garden....or, create gifts just to indulge your own lover of herbs.
Certain herbs have specific associations. Rosemary, for instance, has
special significance at Christmas. It is said that the Virgin Mary spread
her blue cloak on a rosemary bush when the Holy Family stopped to rest on
their flight from Bethlehem and that since then, some rosemary blooms with a
blue flower in her honor.
Following are some ideas for making some herbal treasures:
If you're looking forward to using the bounty of your herb garden to create
craft items, be sure to plant enough bay. Bay leaves are indispensable in
making wreaths and other dried arrangements. These herbs retain a green
color, and withstand handling and arranging without crumbling.
If you'd don't have a eucalyptus tree...get one. These wonderful, pungent
leaves are a staple in wreaths and garlands. There are many varieties of
eucalyptus, but look for the leaves shaped like knife blades and the
beautiful 'spiral' or 'silver-dollar' varieties in particular. They look
wonderful combined with your favorite dried flowers.
Additional favorites for crafts are lavender, which retains its wonderful
fragrance even when dried, and such other aromatics as beautiful dusty-green
sage and rosemary, with its pine-needlelike leaves.
Nature's Treasures
In addition to collecting dried herbs and flowers from your own garden, plan
a picnic and harvest day with friends in the nearest meadow or woods. Every
Autumn we go up into the Black Hills where there is a treasure trove of
beautiful grasses, bits of bark, berries, pinecones, seed pods, thistles,
dried mosses and lichens, wildflowers, evergreen fronds, vines and graceful
branches. Many of these materials are available at craft shops, but
purchasing them is not nearly as much fun as gathering them on your own.
Remember to ask all the appropriate permissions and harvest responsibly.
Never dig up native plants or break off branches of living trees. There are
plenty of items that can be gathered without causing harm to any living
things.
Crafting With Your Treasures
Cover hollow wreath frames of wire, twigs, or dried vines with sphagnum or
sheet moss that has been soaked to reconstitute it. (Wear gloves when
handling the moss, as it can cause skin irritations.)
Once the moss is formed around the wreath, cover it with plastic or
florist's tape to keep it damp and in place.
Straw wreath forms are easy to work with and are great fro dry arrangements.
Bind your chosen items to the form with nylon fishing line, or you can use
the florist's pins.
You may want to create a wreath or garland of fresh materials and then let
the completed item dry, rather than constructing the adornment with the more
delicate dried materials from the start.
Create a living wreath by planting your favorite herb seedlings around a
wire wreath from covered with soaked sphagnum moss. Root the seedlings in
the moss and attach them with transparent fishing line, then pack another
layer of moss over the roots. The moss needs to be sprayed daily to keep
the herbs growing. This 'fairy ring' is a lovely and useful addition to a
kitchen garden.
For the upcoming winter holidays, add sprigs of your favorite fresh or dried
aromatic herbs to pine wreaths and garlands to add texture and color and
mingle the scents.
For a fabulous red and green holiday wreath, combine dried sage and
eucalyptus leaves, rosemary and tarragon sprigs, holly or bittersweet
berries, and dried red chilies. Finish it off with a gold or red bow!
Create a classic herb wreath with bay, chili peppers, mint, oregano,
rosemary, sage, and thyme. Hang this one in the kitchen so that you can
enjoy the aroma, and if you like, pick off pieces to use when you're
cooking. Be sure you wire the pieces on rather than using glue.
About the author:
Karen is an avid gardener and crafter. She and her husband have a Backyard Wildlife Habitat,
plus 'Fairy Gardens' where the children can learn about different herbs and hear Karen
read a story about the Garden Fairies and Flowers. For more information about Karen's
herb, aromatherapy and nature related discussion lists visit Karen's
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