There's more in fallen leaves, tattered corn stalks and yucca seed pods than meets the eye. Woven together, nature's leftovers become profitable ornamentals, especially during the holidays, said a New Mexico State University horticulture specialist. When combined with red chile or ornamental corn, they can make a great harvest wreath, which can mean big bucks in a craft show. The economic potential of nature's seed pods often is overlooked, Dickerson said.
Cattails are longtime choices for flower arrangements with natural or dyed wild grasses.
Harvest wreath materials also can be found in the garden, he said. The wreath's base can be made with grape or Virginia creeper vines and secured with florist wire. Traditionally, pods are hung together in long strings called ristras and priced by the foot. Originally, pods were dried this way for winter use in the kitchen. Now, they're mostly used as ornaments.