Throughout the year, crafter Melody Fanning collects flowers, pods and plants from the garden to prepare for her holiday creations. Nature provides material for some of the most beautiful decor, says Fanning, who teaches wreath-making classes at botanical gardens in Honolulu.

"I think getting close to nature is kind of a spiritual experience, and it puts you in a place that kind of clears your head from the bling and glitter of the holidays," Fanning said. "It just gets you in touch with the earth."

One of Fanning’s favorite creations is a wreath of living succulents that can last for years with a little maintenance and trimming. You can watch the wreath fill out and change colors, depending on sunlight exposure. Some may even bloom with flowers.

Foster Botanical Garden grows a variety of succulents for Fannings’ workshop series that starts Wednesday.

She will show participants how to pack soil layered with sphagnum moss between wire wreath frames like a "dirt sandwich," as she puts it, then wrap them with wire or string. Once the base is ready, you can start planting succulents, using a pick to dig small holes — a chopstick or pencil will do.

The succulent stems are placed into the holes, aiming for a balance of color and texture.

"You start to know how they grow," said Fanning, who cultivates her own succulents at home. "The ones that grow quickly you put on the outer rim. The slow-growing ones you put in the center."

With more than 100 varieties of succulents, which are easy to grow and propagate, there are numerous textures and shades of green, red and violet to create a festive wreath.

Most people recognize the Crassula ovata, also known as jade plant, with its oval green leaves; donkey tail, kalanchoe (paddle plant) and echeveria are also popular.

If you don’t grow your own succulents, they can be found at most garden shops and nurseries.

Once the succulents are planted into the wreath, Fanning advises giving them four weeks to set their roots before hanging.

Otherwise, the wreath can be placed on a charger plate or shallow, ceramic dish and used as a centerpiece with candles.

When the soil is dry, immerse the wreath in water for about 10 minutes, then let it drain. Mist with a spray bottle every so often. The wreath will want plenty of sunlight, Fanning said.

If you plan on growing succulents, give yourself at least six months to do so. Many succulents can be propagated from a leaf off the stem.

Fanning also teaches a workshop on Hawaiian-style wreaths, using everything from dried celosia (cock’s combs) to lipstick plant buds, dried heliconia and bird of paradise, protea, eucalyptus, sea grape, uki grass, Christmas berries, peeled kamani nuts and handmade lau hala roses.

Part of the fun of creating a Hawaiian wreath, she said, is gathering materials.

"You have so many memories of all the walks and hikes and places you go to collect the materials for the wreath," Fanning said. "There are just some real, special places on this island wrapped up in the wreaths."

Both succulent and Hawaiian wreaths take an average of two hours to assemble.

"The biggest investment is time," she said.

"It takes time and patience to put it all together, but it’s a little extra special when someone gives you something that they’ve taken time to make."

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BOTANICAL GARDENS

Reservations required for all classes; call 522-7066.

Succulent wreath-making: Create a wreath to take home for the holidays. Plants provided; bring gardening gloves and clippers. 10 to 11:30 a.m. Cost: $20.

» Wednesday, Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden, 45-680 Luluku Road, Kaneohe

» Saturday, Foster Botanical Garden, 50 N. Vineyard Blvd.; must pay garden admission fee ($5 visitors, $3 kamaaina)

» Dec. 5, Wahiawa Botanical Garden, 1396 California Ave.

Botanical holiday bags and tags: Use your imagination to create gift bags and tags using dried and other materials. 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 2, Foster Botanical Garden. Cost: $5 plus garden admission ($5 visitors, $3 kamaaina).

Family craft: A family activity making simple nature crafts for the holidays. 2 to 3:30 p.m., Dec. 7, Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden. Cost: $10 for family of four ($2.50 per additional person). Reservations: 233-7323.

Hawaiian wreath: Make a Hawaiian wreath using dried and fresh material. 10 a.m. to noon. Cost: $15.

» Dec. 11, Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden
» Dec. 16, Foster Botanical Garden; must pay garden admission fee ($5 visitors, $3 kamaaina)
» Dec. 19, Wahiawa Botanical Garden

LYON ARBORETUM

3860 Manoa Road, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Cost: $15, plus $15 supply fee. Call 988-0461 or visit hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum.

» Table-top Christmas trees: Make a table-top Christmas tree using fresh plants and flowers. Dress comfortably and bring clippers. Dec. 6.

» Holiday arrangements with tropicals: Learn how to make holiday arrangements using tropical blooms and foliage; bring clippers. Dec. 20.

PAIKO

675 Auahi St., Call 988-2165 or visit www.paikohawaii.com.

» Tillandsia wreath: Learn about tillandsia (air plants) and create a 12-inch wreath using a grapevine base and local tillandsia plants. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 4. Cost: $55.

» Succulent wreath: Learn about succulents and their care and create a 12-inch wreath using local succulents, sphagnum moss and ribbon. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 10. Cost: $85.

» Keiki holiday tillandsia terrarium: Bring the little ones to create a living, miniature winter wonderland. Learn about tillandsia and their care, then create a terrarium in a 5-inch glass ornament. Choose from reindeer, elves, snow and holiday bling to personalize creations. 2 to 3 p.m. Dec. 14. Cost: $40.

» Miniature succulent garden: Miniature succulent gardens make great gifts or long-living centerpieces for your holiday table. Look for the DIY station at the Holiday Pinch of Salt Market. Choose a 4-inch ceramic vessel, then design a garden using three succulents and colorful rocks and accessories. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 15. Cost: $20

OTHER

Xeric holiday wreath: Learn how to use less thirsty xeriscape plants to create a holiday wreath. Bring round wreath form, clippers, floral U-pins and ribbons. 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday; repeats Dec. 7. Halawa Xeriscape Garden, 99-1268 Iwaena St. Cost: $5 for Friends of Halawa Xeriscape Garden; $10 for nonmembers. Register by the Friday before the workshop; contact Diane Moses at 748-5363 or workshops@hbws.org.

Natural holiday decorations: Malama Learning Center offers this workshop on making holiday decorations and gifts from natural materials, including items many consider opala. Taught by Malia Lagaso. Bring evergreens, natural materials, glue guns. Children ages 5 and up are welcome. 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 7, ‘Ilima at Leihano, 891 Kamaaha Ave., Kapolei. Cost: $15 per person, $40 for family of three. Register: www.malamalearningcenter.org or call 220-4166.

Home for the Holidays: A seminar on holiday-decorating with garden elements and creating versatile container gardens with Keola Kalama, Geobunga’s lead visual merchandiser. 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 7; GeoUrban, 604 Ala Moana Blvd. (former CompUSA parking lot). Cost: Free. Reservations recommended: www.geobunga.com.