Are materials included?

Basic shola blanks, grapevine wreath bases, dyes, and shared adhesives are provided; check the booking page for any listed kit upgrades.

Is preregistration required?

Yes—preregistration with prepayment is required to hold your spot for the two sessions.

What ages is the workshop suitable for?

The class is suitable for teens and adults; contact the host if you have questions about younger participants or special accommodations.

Can I make more than one wreath?

Workshops are structured around a single wreath per participant; ask about extra-material availability if you want to create multiple pieces.

Is the workshop accessible?

Accessibility details were not provided in the listing—contact the organizer ahead of time to discuss mobility needs or adaptive tools.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellation details were not in the structured description—refer to the booking link on the reservation page for current policies.

Shola Wood Flower Wreath Workshop: Two Evenings of Dyeing & Wreath Design in Ames

Set over two evenings in Ames, Iowa, the Shola Wood Flower Wreath Workshop (2 Days) teaches you how to turn the soft, spongy shola plant — Aeschynomene aspera, a marshland species from West Bengal — into a lasting wreath. Over two 2½-hour sessions held Monday and Wednesday evenings, you’ll learn dip-dyeing techniques, drying tricks, and hands-on assembly, attaching petals and accents to a grapevine base. The first night focuses on color: mixing dyes, timing dips, and preparing delicate shola petals so they hold saturated pigments without warping. Time for drying between classes means you return to design with fresh material on session two, when you map composition, secure layers with pins and glue, and add finishing accents that can range from dried grasses to painted seeds.

This workshop stands out because it teaches craft skills with a living-material story. Shola is lightweight and absorbent, not true wood but the pith of a marsh plant; its paperlike texture takes dyes differently than cotton or silk and rewards precise handling. That botanical specificity gives finished wreaths an airy, paper-flower look that endures where fresh flowers will not. For visitors to central Iowa the class is a tactile counterpoint to field trails and campus gardens — an invitation to bring a piece of plant-based design home.

Preregistration with prepayment is required; bring a willingness to work with small, delicate parts and to experiment with color. Materials include shola blanks and a grapevine wreath base; expect instructors to supply basic adhesives and dyes. The workshop formats well for solo travelers, couples, or small friend groups, and it makes a thoughtful gift project for holiday makers or anyone who prefers handmade décor.

Beyond technique, the class imparts a brief natural-history note: shola grows in South Asian marshlands, and its craft use connects botanical knowledge to decorative art. Ask instructors about sourcing — responsible hosts will explain whether materials are reclaimed or sustainably gathered. Practical takeaways include transportation tips (pack finished wreaths flat or upright in a box), storage advice to preserve dyes, and ideas for seasonal accents that keep the piece fresh through winter holidays or spring mantels.

The class schedule — Monday and Wednesday evenings, November 16 and 18, 6:00–8:30 PM — suits travelers who want an evening creative break while visiting Ames. Preregistration is required via the booking link; spaces fill quickly, especially as the project dovetails with seasonal events and holiday workshop.

If your visit to Ames includes museum or garden stops, this two-evening workshop offers a slow, creative rhythm that complements walking and birding days. You’ll leave with a finished wreath, new dyeing skills, and a deeper appreciation for a little-known plant that makes big, delicate statements.

About Reiman Gardens

Reiman Gardens in Ames, Iowa offers year-round horticultural displays, seasonal events, educational programs, and volunteer opportunities that engage families, students, and garden enthusiasts. The facility hosts a variety of public experiences including speaker series, guided and self-guided tours, hands-on youth day camps, and specialized workshops such as dried floral wreath making and floral design. Signature experiences include the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing — open daily and featuring up to 800 live butterflies from around 80 species — plus seasonal highlights like Butterfly Blizzard and Nature at NIGHT.

Reiman Gardens programs combine accessible outdoor activities with instructional series and community-focused nights. Regular offerings include Nature with Nathan, a six-part entomology speaker series; Rovers at Reiman dog-friendly evenings; Garden Flow six-week gentle stretching sessions; Nature Journaling workshops; and members-only Wednesday walking club access. Community events range from Autumn Equinox Gothic Soiree (ages 18+) to Trivia Nights, Maker Nights, and seasonal forest bathing walks. Volunteer roles support Spirits in the Gardens (October 10–12), Pumpkin Prep, Butterfly Wing docent training, seasonal gardening and displays, and group volunteer opportunities. Reiman Gardens also offers admissions options, guided tours for youth and adults, and special previews like RG Express and Bonsai Show Member Preview. All program descriptions, schedules, and registration details are published by Reiman Gardens; visitors should consult official listings for dates, age requirements, and availability.

Members' Wednesday Walking Club meets Wednesday mornings and provides access to the Butterfly Wing and Conservatory beginning at 9:00 AM, offering a quieter visit and the chance to see horticulturalists at work.