Trailing Plant (for Hanging basket or Urn)

By: Carolyn Roach - Out on a Limb
 

You will need to draw fat shaped hearts for the leaves on the cardstock in various sizes ranging from 1/8th inch to 1/4 inch (approx.)

Cut them out and use as templates on your tape or paper

If using masking tape or painters tape stick 2 pieces together before you start so it won’t stick to everything (including you) You will need to paint the masking tape a nice ivy or hunter green to get the leaf colour. You can also use cream to add in variegated lines to the leaves on all the cutouts.

Trace the shape on your tape and cut them out.

If you want variegated leaves now is the time to paint them. You really only need to do one side.

Cut your wire into lengths. Again vary the length so it will fill a pot nicely. 1 inch to 2 inches long (remember they can always be trimmed)

Instructions:

1) Take your ½ inch wide floral tape and cut into 3 inch lengths, about ten or so.
2) Take each 3-inch length and cut it in half LENGTHWISE.
3) Now cut each piece in half LENGTHWISE again. So that now you have cut each piece into quarters lengthwise.
4) Using a strip of the cut floral tape, wrap your cut length of wire. Start at one end, and pinch tape end to wire . Hold tightly and twist, rolling the wire so the tape spirals down the length of it. I know this is finicky at first, but you will get the hang of it in no time.
5) Take one end of your covered wire and gently bend into long ‘S ‘ shape. Vines aren’t straight after all. Several zigzags are nice on the longer pieces that will hang down.
6) Take your cut leaves and GENTLY tug around the edges. This will give the leaves more of a ruffled look.
7) Glue leaves onto wire. Start gluing at the Rounded end till about half way down the leaf (toward the point. Leave some of the wire bare at top so you have some to place into the pot. Stagger them for effect. They should be slightly folded in the center of the leaf. This helps them to stick better to the wires.
8) Set aside and let them dry.
9) Prepare your pot for planting. If you want hanging pots what I do is cut two lengths approx. 4" long of fine wire to twice the length I want plant to hang, plus a little extra. Remember you can always trim off the excess. Fold each wire in half and place on the bottom of the inside of your pot. So they make an ‘X’ inside.
10) Now fill with air dry clay, and your wires for the Hanging Pot are secured.
11) Bend the end of your plant wire with no leaves, and stick in the pot. I like to start with the shorter ones in the middle and work my way out. Using the longest trailers at the end.
12) You are done