Do I have to moss my wreath base?

It’s a question that pops up every year when people are planning ahead for their Christmas wreath supplies.

I’ve been making and teaching how to make Christmas wreaths for well over a decade and I can confidently tell you that the answer is NO - in the U.K. you do not need to use moss as a base.

Moss adds extra cost, time and environmental impact to a wreath that is simply not required for an outdoor winter wreath arrangement.

So why do people continue to use it?

Here are my thoughts on it …

1. Habit

2. It’s the way they were taught and they’ve just never thought to question it.

3. They buy cheap wire frame bases that need to be padded out with something to make the wreath look full. TIP - if you use wire bases you can use foliage ‘waste’ to give you that fuller look.

4. They think moss hydrates the foliage helping it to last longer. In the U.K. the climate is cool enough and damp enough to support winter foliage.

5. Fear or lack of trust - they’ve always used moss and don't want to risk wilting by making a wreath without it. TIP - if this is you, make just one wreath without moss this year and see for yourself how it goes, then next year you’ll feel confident to give it up.

6. Aesthetics - they like the look of moss. In this case, go for it 😊

7. Moss is sometimes used as a floral foam alternative by those who prefer the stem insertion technique (rather than tying in) of building their wreath. Though you do have to tie the moss on the base to start with.

I have to add here that I’ve only ever used my own willow wreath bases - they are chunky enough not to need moss to pad them out.

I also DO use moss for spring and summer wreath arrangements for funerals where the added moisture is beneficial.

And let me be clear here - I don’t think it’s wrong to use moss in winter, or that it’s poor form or unprofessional- I just think it’s unnecessary.😊

See my Instagram post on this topic here Instagram