The Living Wreath [Paperback]

Teddy Colbert (Author), Chad Slattery (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 8, 1996

8 1/2 X 8 1/2 In, 128 Pp, 60 Full-Color Photographs, 25 Line Drawings "Teddy Colbert's Living Wreaths Are Symbols of Great Gardening, Great Innovative Creativity, and Great Imagination. . . Enjoy The Glories of The Garden In A New and Unusual Way. "-- Martha Stewart. Imagine Snipping Fresh Salad and Cooking Herbs From Your Kitchen Wreath. Delight Your Senses and Indulge Your Gardening/Entertaining Fantasies To Create Your Own Magnificent Miniature Garden In The Round. With Teddy Colbert's Simple Directions, Your Gift Giving Can Become A Living Tribute To You Ingenuity and Artful Taste In Succulents Or Flowereing and Fruit-Bearing Plants.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Contents Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Part One: Living Wreath Basics The Living Succulent Wreath Construction It All Starts with the Plants The Materials You Will Need Making It from Scratch The Fun Begins Care and Maintenance Receiving and Sending Wreaths Mail-Order Living Wreaths from Teddy Great Group Activity Part Two: Floral, Edible, and Ornamental Living Wreaths Adapting the Basics to Other Plant Materials Floral Wreaths Plants and Tips for Living Edible Wreaths Living Ornamental Wreaths Planting Techniques for Alternative Wreaths Care and Maintenance for All Living Wreaths Recycling the Wreath Base Part Three: Coming Full Circle The Spirit of Continuity Sources Bibliography

From the Back Cover

Imagine snipping fresh salad and cooking herbs from your kitchen wreath. Delight your senses and indulge your gardening/entertaining fantasies to create your own magnificent miniature garden in the round. With Teddy Colbert's simple directions, your gift giving can become a living tribute to your ingenuity and artful taste in succulents or flowering and fruit-bearing plants, whether you create your own or order one of hers.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Gibbs Smith, Publisher (June 8, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879057009
• ISBN-13: 978-0879057008
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #518,409 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great project for the "crafty gardener"!, April 7, 2002

By 

Jessica Ferguson "threelittlebirds" (Woodbury, NJ) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Living Wreath (Paperback)

Nothing makes a garden project book better than glossy photos and clear step-by-step instructions. The Living Wreath has both! This Martha (Stewart, that is) approved activity developed by Teddy Colbert, is an exciting way to look at "container" planting. Although the book sometimes seems to be a vehicle for promoting Teddy's living wreath products, including tools, materials and completed wreaths, her products are not necessary to create your own living wreath. Teddy's technique was created with succulent plant materials and the majority of the "how-to" section focuses on creating a succulent living wreath however, there are also inspirational examples of adaptions that include such creative ideas as a fresh herb "clock" for the kitchen, a living strawberry wreath, a fresh spring greens wreath (put it in the center of your dining table and let everyone "pick" their own salad!) plus several flowering wreaths with petunias and impatiens or a beautiful mix of flowering annuals. 50 wreaths are pictured in all. A great book for the "crafter" in ever gardener.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 50 Unique Wreath Designs, June 29, 2005

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Living Wreath (Paperback)

No two wreaths are alike, yet they are all beautiful. Each reflects the character and ability of an individual - romantic, vivacious, formal, or gentle - and conveys the refreshing uniqueness inherent in each of us. ~Teddy Colbert

I was amazed when I first notice a real-life succulent wreath. I had no idea you could grow plants in a wreath shape. This book shows you how to make living wreaths and how to care for them. There are horizontal and vertical styles. You might want to make one as a table wreath or even hand one like a chandelier with candles.

The chapter on "Making It From Scratch" shows you exactly what you need to make the wreath, from soil quantities to how much copper wire and moss you will need.

While reading this fascinating little book you will also find lore and decorating ideas. Once you have read about how to make the wreaths, you can adapt the basic design with other plant materials. The Culinary Herbs section shows a wreath made with Italian parsley, summer savory, cilantro and basil. The most interesting wreath is the one where you grow strawberries.

~The Rebecca Review

5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilled with condition of book, October 21, 2010

By 

Patricia (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Living Wreath (Paperback)

Could not have been happier with the condition of the book and the price. When looking on line, prices ranged from $70.00 to $3.00. I took a chance and tried the one that said "like new". It is!!!. It only cost $6.00. This book is part of a donation for a silent auction benefiting children in my city. I have donated a wreath I made and wanted the bidder to know the value of the wreath and time taken to make it. Thank you as this book is out of print and my copy isn't in as great condition as the one purchased..