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This is the time of year that most people prepare for friends and family to visit. Homes are spruced up with decorations, and there is usually a great aroma from the kitchen. You don’t have to spend a fortune on a lovely centerpiece, as many common weeds are quite stunning in the proper arrangement.
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 Many plants that are looked down upon as pests and weeds, are actually quite attractive and unique when closely examined. The Winged Elm is one of those. In this area, it’s a commonplace fencerow ‘trash tree’ that gets no respect. It spreads it’s multitudes of seed by bird and wind, and dozens of new saplings sprout in unwanted places. By looking closer, one can see the lovely cork-like wings that grow along the younger branches. This is a great branch or twig for any arrangement.
Another so-called weed is the Teasel plant. It’s even on the list of invasives for some states. If the intimidating thorns were not reason enough to keep them from your garden, the fact that they multiply like rabbits might help convince most gardeners not to cultivate them. The stunning dried flower heads have potential for a great centerpiece though.
The last plant we will be using is Greek Oregano, which is a popular herb. The dried flower stalks are generally of no use to the gardener, as the tasty herb is derived from the leaves. Most herb gardeners snip the flower buds before the plant blooms to ensure a tastier herb. If allowed to bloom, the flower stalks are usually cut back and discarded after the butterflies have sipped all of the nectar.
Here is a list of things you will need to create this frugal, but creative arrangement. You can substitute any attractive branches or weed stalks that happen to grow in your climate. It will give you the opportunity to look at wild plants with new eyes.
 Winged Elm branches
Teasel heads
Greek Oregano blossom stalks
Plate or platter from a thrift shop or garage sale
Piece of medium grit sandpaper
Silicone adhesive, pair of wire cutters
Styrofoam florist base
Can of flat white spray paint
Handful of silk flowers and berry picks from the dollar store.
Bit of moss for covering the foam if desired.
 First, use the sandpaper to scratch the center of your plate. This will allow the silicone to adhere to it better. Just rough up the finish where you will want to attach the florist’s foam.
Poke several holes in the bottom of the foam and fill them with the silicone. This secures the foam to the plate better. Then put some silicone on the plate and center your foam. Let this dry overnight.
 While you are waiting on the silicone to dry, you can spray your weeds with the flat white paint. Do this outside in a ventilated area. Use short bursts rather than a continuous spray. These look best, and the most natural if you lightly spray them and not try and coat the whole thing solid. A few shadows of the natural color give depth, and look more realistic.
 The next step is to start arranging your centerpiece. Cover your foam with a bit of moss if you so desire at this point. Where your arrangement will be placed will dictate the finished height. Start with the Winged Elm twigs. Tallest in the center, and a few on the sides. Remember, ‘Less is More” You can always add if you need to, but think with a minimalist approach to this and you will be more pleased with the result.
 Teasel is next. The thorny stems might be uncomfortable, so use gardening gloves or a dishtowel to hold them if they bother you. Place several at various heights around the Elm branches. If your centerpiece is to be viewed from all sides, make sure that it is visually pleasing from all points
 Place the berry picks and the Greek Oregano next, all the while using as few as possible to achieve the design. These look best as fill near the bottom of your arrangement. Less is more again, and make sure that you stagger the stem lengths to achieve a natural look.
The last items to be placed will be your flowers. I chose deep red silk roses. They look festive, and are not as limiting to the season as poinsettias are. This arrangement can sit on my coffee table through Valentine’s Day if I wish. Use an odd number of these focal point flowers. The look is more natural than if you group them in twos. Place them near the base of the arrangement, as it’s more visually appealing to have your heavier, or more solid items at the base, and your airy pieces higher.
You now have a stunning Wonderful Weed Centerpiece. Most of the items are either found growing in the fencerows and ditches, or cost a minimal amount. Total cost was less than $10.00
Look at natural materials with a creative eye, it’s amazing what you can build with just a little imagination!
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I come from a long line of Kentuckians who love the Good Earth. I love to learn about every living thing, and love to share what I've learned. Photography is one of my passions, and all of the images in my articles are my own.
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Subject: Love the finished product.
Posted by Annepaola (from Manahawkin, NJ) on December 10, 2007 at 11:50 AM:I am fond of teasel, having first seen it growing in a beautiful garden in Maine. The garden was made by a dentist gardener to enhance his property. Outstanding. The teasel was 6 feet tall as I recall.
I got a pack of seeds, and was able to get one plant from it. I did not realize it would not bloom until the second season (It actually is not a biennal but something else starting with "m", that means a plant that grows and flowers in the second or LATER year and then dies). Someone may provide the word this morning. I am too busy to look it up, sorry.
From that one plant I got many volunteers in my driveway and now have quite a few plants in their first year in a wild section of my garden. Next year should be great! But I guess I'll have to monitor them or they will take over. ...
Subject: More ideas, please?
Posted by Dea (from Frederick, MD) on December 7, 2007 at 5:30 PM:This was a great photo-log training article - beautiful end result! Any more ideas on other weeds you've used in the past?
Thanks and get well soon :)
... Posted by victorgardener (from Lower Hudson Valley, NY) on December 7, 2007 at 5:39 PM: Great job, Melody! Feel better. ... Posted by melody (from Benton, KY) on December 10, 2007 at 4:26 PM: Common 'Burning Bush' is another winged twig that makes for lovely Weed Arrangements. Also, Sweet Gum seed balls are interesting too.
Large acorns are great in bowls, Giant Foxtail is found all across the country and will spray paint up lovely. Honey locust has a great 'thorny' profile that will be nice as a twig arrangement.
I also use dried, mature, okra pods. I was going to do a Christmas wreath for ya'll with the okra, but this car accident got in the way, So I'll save it for next year. ... Posted by Islandshari (from Kwajalein
(Marshall Islands)) on December 17, 2007 at 1:18 AM: Hi ya Mel! Just got a chance to read this...and what a joy it was! When you look at the prices that stores - even Hobby Lobby - want to charge for arrangements, your lovely "weed centerpiece" becomes even more lovely! Great job of showing folks that their winter gardens needn't be places of gloom and doom. Well done!
Heal well, and enjoy the holidays!
Yokwe,
Shari ...
Subject: Great Project!
Posted by cathy4 (from St. Louis County, MO) on December 7, 2007 at 11:10 AM:This is a great project, makes me look at the weeds outside with a new eye for their use in the winter. Thanks! ... Posted by FlowrLady (from Olive Branch, MS) on December 7, 2007 at 11:54 AM: I'm inspired! ... Posted by melody (from Benton, KY) on December 10, 2007 at 4:21 PM: Thanks ya'll, I love Teasel and try to have it in the house every winter. It makes such striking arrangements. ...
Subject: Beautiful arrangements Mel!
Posted by debnes_dfw_tx (from Fort Worth, TX) on December 7, 2007 at 11:08 AM:Amazing how your great writing work here is still going on with this post dated article!!
Very creative with the weeds and putting this piece together! I can relate to your kind of ingenuity and style. And all for about 10 bucks! I love it! Good thing you craft! It is something you can do sitting down while your mending up!
Now if we can get Carley to fetch the ribbons, glue and scissors for you, we're in business!!
:-)
debnes
... Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on December 7, 2007 at 1:14 PM: Great article, Mel...
Take it easy and get well.
sharon ... Posted by terriculture (from london
(United Kingdom)) on December 7, 2007 at 2:34 PM: Beautiful arrangement, Thankyou for the ideas. ... Posted by KyWoods (from Melbourne, KY) on December 7, 2007 at 6:14 PM: I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees the beauty in some weeds! I pick the pretty ones for live bouquets, but I like this idea for the dried ones, too. Thanks, Mel! ...
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