This was my first introduction to German pins - a very easy way to attach moss or ivy to the oasis. Some of the bulbs aren’t flowering yet and showing the roots add to the natural feel of it. The ivy is from the garden - picked this morning and dunked in water for a couple of hours.

Equipment: a wreath oasis, German pins and a bowl to hold it in.

Flowers and Foliage: ivy, 6 x muscari bulbs (bulb and roots exposed), 10 x small narcissi, 4 x freesias (or tulips).

Step 1: soak the oasis and champher the top / sides to create a more natural “mound”.

Step 2: Cover the sides (outside and inside) with strands of ivy by pinning it using German pins. Aim for good coverage leaving a “channel” around the top for the bulbs.

Step 3: Pin the muscari bulbs to the channel. Being uprooted and pinned won’t prevent the muscari from flowering.

Step 4: Cut the stems on the narcissi to create short flowers and add these to the oasis along the channel. Work in clumps to give a more natural feel.

Step 5: Wrap and weave the longer stemmed freesias around the circle of the wreath using German pins to secure them in place.

Step 6: Finish off by adding little bits of moss to any areas that need it. I finished it off with a small ceramic bird my mother gave me (it usually lives in my pot plants).

It makes a lovely woodland birds nest arrangement and smells like spring.. One of my favourites so far.

Some of the other students used yellow flowers and they looked lovely. Others used tree ivy and seeds which worked well. A lovely theme for the spring term.