May 29, 2026
"Soft Americana" is a trend that puts a cozy, modern spin on traditional heritage design. As much as I love the idea of decorating with the "red, white and blue" to celebrate our country, I am usually disappointed when looking for decor. The plastic, glittery patriotic items are in direct opposition to my desire to use natural materials in my space. As a flower grower and dried flower artist, my "solutions" to these type of dilemmas always lean towards the botanical!
As I pondered what I could create to add to my growing collection of dried floral craft kits that would celebrate our country in a more elegant way, I came across these early-blooming Nigella in my garden:
Asking a flower farmer to name their favorite flower is kind of like asking a mama to name her favorite child...but...Nigella is definitely a close contender for my best-loved! First, it is easy for me to grow. In my zone 6b climate, I can put seeds right into the ground in the fall. The seedlings sprout before it gets too cold, take a break when winter arrives, and then grow and bloom their little hearts out by May. The flowers themselves are nothing short of stunning, hence their common name, "Love in a Mist". They do not dry well by hanging, but are beyond fabulous pressed--I use them often in my custom pressed flower pieces:
Aren't those gorgeous? Anyway...if I resist gathering the flowers and leave them to go to seed, the Nigella plant makes round, whimsical, burgundy-striped seed pods. Along with the white and blue star-like flowers, I can't help but think of "Old Glory" when I look at this plant. The "Americana Meadow" wreath kit was born!
Back in my flower workshop, I began pulling down dried flowers that would complement the Nigella pods...wine colored Dahlias hung to dry last fall, bright blue Larkspur from last spring, Ammobium that bloomed like crazy last summer, and a favorite filler...white Yarrow harvested early this past spring during one of my many foraging walks in our woods.
The base layer that I use in all my wreaths, and include in my kits, is sustainably harvested sheet moss. Moss gives the wreaths a cozy, earthy feel, adds volume, and provides the perfect base for adhesive. I use regular tacky glue rather than hot glue; it takes a bit longer to dry but is much friendlier to the environment and fully compostable.
Once the moss is down, I chose a few sprigs of Xeranthemum foliage, which is a soft grey-green color that contrasts nicely with the moss. Next, I added 3 larger dahlia heads clustered together as focal point. I use generous amounts of glue to make sure everything stays in place
When the focal flowers are set, I begin tucking sprigs of Nigella, Larkspur and Ammobium around the Dahlias...some spraying out towards the greenery. The Americana Meadow wreath is coming together...
The wreath now needs a finishing touch...and linen is always my go-to. The white linen ribbon can either be looped through the wreath to hang it, or tied on as a bow if the wreath will be hung on a hook or used as part of a grouping on a shelf. I love how this "soft Americana" look gives a gentle nod to the Americana color scheme but still incorporates beauty that only nature can provide!
I hope this tutorial gets your own creative juices flowing as you add more natural elements into your own design world. If you would like to purchase this wreath as a kit instead of gathering your own materials, you can view the kit HERE.
Do you have a passion for dried flowers like I do? I would love for you to join my e-mail family! Just 4 times each year you will get an e-mail from me with farm updates and discounts on new dried flower kits. My next 100 subscribers are getting a FREE mini kit in the mail from my farm--you can read about it HERE.