This week, I was inspired to make a simple wreath from the bright green, first year canes of wild roses (Rosa multiflora), which grow rampantly all over our property, an unwelcome, thorny invasive. The birds love the red 1/4″ hips and spread the seeds far and wide. Once the plant reaches maturity, it forms an impenetrable thicket, making it a favorite hideout of cottontail rabbits and small birds.
Remarkably, the young canes are relatively free of thorns, which apparently develop in the second year. I only encountered one small thorn as I wove this wreath, sitting in the sun on one of the warmer days this week. 
Measuring about six inches in diameter, I added a few privet berries (Ligustrum vulgare), another invasive (!) and a jute bow.
Many thanks to Cathy at Rambling In the Garden, who hosts a weekly meme to showcase what is blooming in our gardens by creating arrangements to enjoy inside our homes.
Wander over to see what gardeners all over the world are arranging this week. Feel free to join in, sharing your own weekly vase with a link to Cathy’s blog.
Eliza Waters 
I love your beautiful wreath! 💖💖
Thank you, Trini, I’m glad to hear it! 🙂
Those invasive plants can be so appealing if you find a use for them, not that I’m a big fan of Privet. The list of things that could be invasive seems to include most things the birds like eating.
The bright green of the rose stems is very appealing with the dark berries. I’m wondering how you display these, do you hang them on the door or bring them inside?
Thank you, Cath. This one I left outside, but I think it would wear better if I brought it in, as it has started to darken with the freezing weather. I might try another to see if it keeps the green better inside.
Simple yet so attractive. I never thought to use rose canes – must give it a try.
Thank you, it is a great way to use an unwanted plant!
Beautifully simple and simply beautiful!
🙂 Many thanks, Val!
What a lovely wreath, simple yet so beautiful
Thank you, Noelle. 🙂
Love it.
🙂 Many thanks!
I love the utter simplicity of your wreath. I have made one too this week!
Thank you, Ann!
Simplicity in awesome gorgeousness. Great creativity going on with you, Eliza. Very cool!!! Sending Love, Amy ❤
Thank you so much, Amy. ❤ Yes, I guess the Force is with me. ;-D
And then some!!! Your wreath is just gorgeous!!! ❤
🙂 Aw, shucks, I’m blushing. 😀
Your wreath is so beautiful, Eliza! I hope you do not mind if I steal the idea!
Please do…Wreaths are fun to make and decorate. Thanks, Anca!
What a great idea!
Thank you, Mary. Making the best of a prickly situation! 😉
It’s so beautiful.
Thank you, Gigi. 🙂
I would never of thought of using rose canes to create a reath,
Simple but effective.
The green is really attractive and stays that color on the plant all winter, when there isn’t much green around, so it is appreciated for that, but when it is older, it is a menace! Thanks for stopping by, Brian.
What a clever use of invasive plants, Eliza! The wreath is simple and very pretty – perfect for the beginning of winter.
Thanks, Kris. I’m always trying to get rid of the beasties, so I may as well use them!
So simple and so effective – and a great way of using ‘unwanted’ plants too!
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Cathy. 🙂
Wonderfully simple and gorgeous.
Thank you very much, Fi!
It looks lovely. I thought you were being unnecessarily masochistic weaving with thorny roses, until I read your second paragraph.
🙂 Thanks! No, I’m not a glutton for punishment. When I have to deal with thorns, I get really cranky! 😉
I’ve been wanting to try weaving a wreath. I’m pretty bad at it. When I tried with grape vines it came out all lumpy. I didn’t know that about young rose canes. That seems like a really good use for the darned things. Another bad one, Oriental bittersweet, I see growing all over the place in a nearby wood. It sure is pretty, but what a strangler.
I’ve been tempted to use bittersweet vine, too, yet it has thorns at every juncture and working with gloves is tougher to finesse things. I yet might try it just for the challenge… stay tuned! 😉
Oh, that’s right, it does. Also by using it I believe one would help spread it around which I don’t think we’d want to do. In some places I understand it isn’t even legal. Such a pity.
If I use it, I just make sure it goes in the trash eventually. I swear that every berry that hits the ground roots.
Yes, a very successful plant.
What a beautiful wreath – I thought you had used a willow or dogwood so was surprised to learn it was a rose stem. At least you can appreciate some beauty from an unwanted invader!
Like making lemonade from lemons…;-) Thanks, Julie!
the fine art of simplicity! Beautiful!!
Thank you! 🙂
I love your wreath! The green is so fresh 🙂 *Sneaks off to see how difficult it is to make a wreath*
😀 Very easy! Cut canes (or grapevine, or any other pliable material). Choose one of the largest ones and curve into a simple bow circle the size you want, then weave the remainder in and around until used up. Continue weaving the rest of the pieces in the same way, keeping an eye on symmetry as you go around, until it becomes the size you want. The first effort might be loose, but with practice, you’ll tighten up as you learn how the material works. Good luck!
I’m heading off for a work trip to Atlanta for the next few days, but I’m giving this some real thought…which means it might actually happen! Thanks for the tips 🙂
You’re welcome!
Aw… so simple yet so beautiful 🙂
Thank you, Ann!
the simplicity of this was so elegant.
Thank you so much, Kim. 🙂
I like this. If only my nearby roses had as few thorns, but there is alternative vegetation to give it a try with. The berries are a really nice addition!
Thank you, Lisa. Give it a go!
I love this Eliza. I nearly picked some privet today too when I noticed its blue/black berries. I think many Monday bloggers will be copying this simple but so beautiful wreath.
Thank you, I hope they do. I’m forever trying to get rid of these invasives that seem to want to conquer the world!
A great way to enjoy the sunshine and enjoy nature
Indeed, thank you for your visit, Diana!
Looks great Eliza. Love it.
Thank you, Karen!
Eliza I love this wreath….I have the same invasive rose I have been digging out whenever I find it. Now I know I could be doing so much more with it.
With the amount I have here I could make a hundred – lol!
The twisted stems and black berries make a very interesting wreath, Eliza, it was clever of you to find a use for the invasive plants.
Thank you, Hannah. That vivid green just called out to me!
I really love this Eliza, I have been vaguely experimenting with wreaths and looking at pinterest ideas but this is so simple and so stylish, just gorgeous!
Thank you, Julie. Sometimes simple says more than lavish does. 🙂
That is beautiful, I should love it on my door. Clever you
Thank you, Dorris!
How pretty! And I learned something new. We have both privet and multi-flora roses here, and had to a major clean up of them the first year we were here (the multi-flora roses were everywhere!). It’s nice to see them used in a beautiful way. I didn’t know that about the rose canes. Most that I encountered during out clean-up left me bleeding and with an almost new piercing in one ear. lol! We still have plenty in the thickets for the rabbits and birds, and maybe I’ll give this a try.
Those thorns are wicked, leaving me with fantasies of blasting them with a flame-thrower. 😉
LOL! (I really did — laugh out loud.) I’ve had similar fantasies.
;-D
Eliza, this is absolutely lovely. Its simplicity speaks volumes. You hit a home run, friend. 🙂
Thank you so much, Judy! 🙂
That is so lovely, and I am glad you have found good use of those otherwise unwelcome canes. 🙂
Thank you, Cathy. A silver lining!
I love a simple wreathe created only from nature Eliza – beautiful. Merry.
Thank you, Kathy. 🙂
I love that you used the invasive species for this – and that you’re still able to find things in the garden to use for the ‘vase’!
It’s been a great challenge for that! Thanks, Sarah.
Very beautiful!! I love the simplicity and how you took something unpleasant and turned it into something beautiful!
Thanks, Kim! 🙂
Love the simplicity of this wreath! Have you ever thought about making a book out of your wonderful arrangements and wreaths?
Thank you, Denise. What a great compliment! 🙂 I’m glad you think they are that good!
Great colors with the green and purple, I am embarrassed to say I like the vile Privet berries! Maybe we should start an invasive wreath collective!
Indeed! ;-D
Such wonderful delights for the soul…
Thank you, Storm. I was looking at this one just yesterday. The berries are gone and it has turned a golden brown, yet it is still beautiful. 🙂