If you’ve ever admired a dried flower wreath and thought maybe I could make that, you absolutely can. It’s one of those projects that looks intricate, but once you understand the rhythm of it, it becomes slow, calming, and honestly a little addictive.
As a dried flower farmer near Toronto, this is one of my favourite ways to extend the season—taking flowers that bloomed months ago and turning them into something you’ll see every day through winter.
How to Make Your Own Dried Flower Wreath (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Sourcing Dried Flowers
This is the most important step, and it really shapes the final look of your wreath.
If you can, start local. A lot of dried flowers sold online are imported, and while they can still be beautiful, locally grown flowers tend to have better colour, fresher structure, and a much smaller environmental footprint.
Here are your best options:
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Grow and dry your own
If you have even a small garden, flowers like strawflower, statice, and globe amaranth dry incredibly well. Harvest at the right stage and air dry in a dark, dry space. -
Buy from local flower farms (seasonal)
Many Ontario flower farms sell dried bunches in late summer through fall. This is one of the best ways to get high-quality material. -
Buy wholesale or direct from growers (like me)
This is usually the most cost-effective if you’re making multiple wreaths. I sell dried flowers by the stem for easy ordering. -
Etsy
Great for variety—just filter by Canadian or Ontario-based sellers if you want to stay local. -
Amazon
Convenient, but often imported. Quality can vary a lot. -
Local florists
They sometimes carry dried stems, but keep in mind you’re paying a markup since they’ve already sourced them wholesale.
Tip: Try to choose a mix of:
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focal flowers (strawflower, roses)
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filler (statice, baby’s breath)
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texture (grasses, lavender, seed pods)
Step 2: Gather Your Supplies
You can find almost everything you need at Michaels or similar craft stores.
Basic supply list:
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Grapevine wreath base (10"–14") — $8–$20
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Floral wire (paddle wire works best) — $5–$10
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Wire cutters — $10–$20
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Optional: hot glue gun + glue sticks — $10–$20
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Ribbon (if hanging) — $5–$15
Optional upgrades:
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Moss or eucalyptus base layer
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Pruning snips (cleaner cuts than craft cutters)
All in, most people spend $30–$75 CAD on supplies, depending on what you already have.
Step 3: Prep Your Flowers
Before you start attaching anything:
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Trim stems down to about 2–4 inches
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Remove excess leaves (they shed over time)
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Sort flowers into small bundles
This step makes everything smoother once you begin assembling.
Step 4: Build Small Bundles
Instead of attaching one stem at a time, create mini bunches (3–5 stems each).
Each bundle should have:
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one focal flower
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a bit of filler
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a touch of texture
This gives your wreath that full, layered look without feeling chaotic.
Step 5: Attach to the Wreath Base
Now the fun part.
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Place your first bundle on the wreath base at a slight angle
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Wrap floral wire tightly around the stems and base
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Add the next bundle so it slightly overlaps the previous one
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Continue in the same direction around the wreath
You’ll start to see a natural flow develop—this is what makes wreaths look “professional.”
Step 6: Fill Gaps + Adjust
Once you’ve gone all the way around:
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Tuck in smaller pieces where it looks sparse
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Use hot glue for delicate accents if needed
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Step back often—it helps you see uneven spots
Step 7: Add a Hanging Element (Optional)
You can:
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Leave it natural (grapevine is easy to hang)
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Add a simple ribbon loop
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Go seasonal with a soft linen or silk ribbon
Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
1. Overhandling fragile flowers
Dried flowers are delicate—handle stems, not petals.
2. Using flowers that are too brittle
If they’re crumbling as you work, they were either dried too long or stored poorly.
3. Not securing tightly enough
Loose wire = shifting bundles later.
4. Making it too symmetrical
The beauty of dried wreaths is in their movement—slight variation looks better.
5. Skipping the step-back
Pause often and look at your wreath from a distance. It makes a huge difference.
A Few Final Tips
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Work in a space without strong airflow (fans will blow petals everywhere)
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Expect a little mess—shedding is normal
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Don’t rush it—this is one of those slow, satisfying projects
There’s something really special about making your own wreath—especially when you know where the flowers came from. Whether you grew them yourself or sourced them from a local farm, you’re creating something that holds onto a season just a little bit longer. And in the middle of winter, that feeling goes a long way. But, if you feel like admiring art done by someone else instead of DIYing, you can also purchase a Canadian-made dried flower wreath from a local dried flower artist.
