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in Christmas· Fall· Home Decor· Projects· Winter· Winter Holiday and Christmas Inspiration

How to Make a Fresh Magnolia Mixed Branch Wreath

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This easy-to-make fresh magnolia wreath is perfect for the fall season, as well as the holidays. I’ll show you how I incorporated not only magnolia leaves from the tree in our yard, but mixed branches of all kinds and dried oranges. Step-by-step instructions are below.

fresh magnolia mixed branch wreath with fried oranges

I love making fresh wreaths for the holidays. It’s a simple way to decorate for fall both indoors and out.

Living in the Pacific Northwest definitely has its benefits with an abundance of evergreen pine trees everywhere you look in Western Washington.

magnolia tree
Our magnolia tree

What I didn’t realize at the time we moved into our home 10 years ago was how amazing it would be to have a magnolia tree on our property.

If I’m going to be completely honest, I didn’t much care for the tree at first. Don’t get me wrong… I love the actual magnolia flowers it produced, but the leaves and pods that drop in late spring and early summer were absolutely irritating.


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magnolia leaves on tree

But now I’ve learned to appreciate all that this beautiful magnolia tree has to offer. These gorgeous leaves are perfect for making DIY projects such as beautiful garlands and wreaths. The glossy leaves, and the velvety textured rich and rust-colored undersides, create an amazing contrast.  

If you don’t have a magnolia tree or a neighbor who does, most floral nurseries have magnolia leaves in the bundles. A single stem has quite a few leaves on it, so it doesn’t take many. You can really use one branch, and then wire the bundle to the wreath.


materials needed to make a fresh magnolia mixed branch wreath with fried oranges

Materials Needed for a Fresh Magnolia Wreath

  • Magnolia leaves
  • Assorted greenery clippings such as Fir, Cedar, Eucalyptus, Boxwood, Bay Leaf, Rosemary
  • Garden pruners or floral shears
  • Floral wire
  • Wire wreath frame or grapevine wreath
  • Dried oranges (optional)
  • Ribbon (optional)
  • Pinecones (optional)

magnolia leaves

The Steps to Making a Fresh Magnolia Wreath

You can also choose to only use magnolia leaves for your wreath and will look beautiful. For this wreath, I’m adding a few natural elements to not only create interest but also to add contrast.

greenery for the fresh magnolia mixed branch wreath with fried oranges

Step 1

Bundle about 3 to 4 branches of your tree clippings, and trim them so they are all the same height. Cut a long piece of floral wire and wrap it tightly around the base of the clippings to secure. Leave enough wire on both sides to tie to the wreath.

Note: I found that for me, it works better to use one continuous piece of wire for the entire wreath because it’s more secure. It’s a personal preference.

If you choose to use this method, be sure to anchor the wire to the wreath frame by twisting it back around itself to secure it.


greenery being tied onto the wreath

Step 2

Wrap each bundle around the wreath form with floral wire, overlapping them so that the stems are covered by the leaves of the next bundle. Place slightly offset of the tree branches then secure to the wreath with wire.


magnolia leaves being tied to wreath

Step 3

Continue making the greenery sets, working around the wreath, layering one set on top of the other as you work around the wreath.


greenery added to make fresh magnolia mixed branch wreath with fried oranges

Step 4

If you have decided not to use a continuous piece of wire to attach the branches, take the floral wire and wire wrap all the branches together to the wreath about every 3 inches until you complete the circle, to make the wreath more secure. 


dried oranges

Step 5 – Optional

*Use this step if you are going to use dried oranges on your wreath.

Using the floral wire, create dried orange bundles (each with three slices) by threading the wire through the orange slices. Gently twist the floral wire to secure each bundle. Leave enough wire on your bundles so you can attach them to the wreath. Attach the dried orange bundles throughout the wreath.


fresh magnolia mixed branch wreath with fried oranges

Step 6

Add ribbon, bows, pinecones, or anything else to your magnolia wreath to create and personalize it and make it your very own.


fresh magnolia mixed branch wreath with fried oranges

In most areas, your fresh magnolia wreath should last for a few months, but over time the green leaves will fade to brown. The underneath will stay the same color.

The leaves will become more brittle as the wreath ages, so wipe it gently with a soft cloth to clean it without breaking the leaves.

You can also mist your wreath with water to keep it fresh.

I hope this inspires you to create your own wreath for the holidays.

Until next time,

Happy Wreath Making!


If you’ve enjoyed this blog post, please pin and share this on Pinterest.

Fresh magnolia wreath

More Inspiration For You…

Outdoor winter container

My friend Stacy at Bricks ‘n Blooms has created some incredible outdoor planters for winter. Make sure you check out her blog. She’s one of my favorites!

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Filed Under: Christmas, Fall, Home Decor, Projects, Winter, Winter Holiday and Christmas Inspiration Tagged With: how to make a fresh magnolia wreath

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Renae says

    10/09/2022 at 7:42 am

    This wreath is gorgeous! I definitely need to make one. Blessings to you.

    Reply
  2. Rachel Harper says

    11/01/2021 at 9:34 am

    Kim
    This wreath is amazing

    Reply
    • Kim says

      01/26/2022 at 5:39 pm

      Thank you so much, Rachel!

      Reply
  3. Margie says

    12/16/2020 at 3:42 am

    Beautiful! My magnolia has spots all over the leaves and wouldn’t be very pretty! Will see what else I can get to use! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Kim says

      12/20/2020 at 1:36 am

      Thank you Margie. So sorry about the spots. I haven’t seen that before.

      Reply
  4. Cindy@CountyRoad407 says

    12/15/2020 at 12:15 pm

    So beautiful and I bet it smells scrumptious! We have a magnolia tree in the back so I might be able to pull this one off! Merry Christmas!

    Reply
    • Kim says

      12/20/2020 at 1:36 am

      Oh I so hope that you do get a chance to make one with your tree Cindy. And thank you. Merry Christmas my friend.

      Reply
  5. Chas Greener says

    12/13/2020 at 5:49 am

    What a beautiful wreath friend. I love that you could leave this up all year if you want too! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Kim says

      12/20/2020 at 1:35 am

      I’ll make you one if you come and get it!

      Reply
  6. Juliet says

    12/11/2020 at 8:03 am

    Beautiful, Kim! We have a magnolia tree … although she’s a little stressed after our house and landscape renovation. Hoping the winter rains revive her. I’m pinning and saving this project for next Christmas. Absolutely love the dried oranges. xo

    Reply
    • Kim says

      12/12/2020 at 3:56 pm

      I’m sure your sweet tree will make it Juliet. I’m so excited that you will be trying to make one next year.Thank you!

      Reply
  7. CoCo says

    12/09/2020 at 7:24 am

    Love this so much, Kim! I have clients that is planning for next year so I’m putting this on her board and sending her this link right now. She’s going to be so excited. Thanks for the easy step by step. Big hugs, CoCo

    Reply
    • Kim says

      12/12/2020 at 3:54 pm

      Oh I’m so happy to hear this CoCo. Thank you and hugs right back my friend!

      Reply
  8. stacy says

    12/08/2020 at 7:10 am

    It looks beautiful Kim! You are so lucky to have that gorgeous Magnolia tree to cut from! I love seeing how you made it. I want to make one now! xoxo

    Reply
    • Kim says

      12/12/2020 at 3:53 pm

      I can’t believe I waited this long before using the magnolia leaves. See what Instagram and blogs do to you? So much inspiration. Glad I tried it.

      Reply
  9. sue says

    12/08/2020 at 6:32 am

    I’ve made wreaths with salal leaves for yrs. Its wild here in the PNW as you know….I live in gig harbor….Do you think thats a good alternative?

    Reply
    • Kim says

      12/12/2020 at 3:51 pm

      I think salal leaves would be beautiful in a wreath. I don’t have any of it around here or I would use it.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Winter Gardening with Outdoor Planters - Stacy Ling says:
    04/18/2022 at 4:13 pm

    […] out my good friend Kim’s blog from Shiplap and Shells where she explains how to make a gorgeous wreath out of fresh […]

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Kim. Welcome to my home & garden blog, Shiplap and Shells. We live in a small 1920 beach cottage in the Pacific Northwest and have spent the last 10 years renovating, reinventing, and adding character to our forever home. Read More…

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