How to Make a Patriotic Floral Bike Wheel Wreath

A Patriotic Floral Bike Wheel Wreath is such a fun and unique way to decorate for summer, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, or any red, white, and blue celebration. Instead of using a traditional grapevine or evergreen base, this design starts with a decorative bike wheel. The spokes give you a built-in structure to attach foam, greenery, florals, ribbon, and embellishments while still keeping the wreath light and airy.

For this project, I used a blue bike wheel, patriotic floral picks, greenery, bead grass, maidenhair fern, ribbon, butterflies, and a few small star accents. The finished design is full of movement, texture, and patriotic charm. It is also a great project if you want something that looks different from a standard deco mesh wreath but still feels festive and full.

Supply List

• Blue bike wheel wreath frame
• Small Styrofoam block from Dollar Tree
• Zip ties
• Hot glue gun or glue pot
• Glue sticks
• Wire cutters
• Scissors
• Floral sticks or wooden picks with wire
• Floral tape
• Felt for covering the back
• Floral pins
• Maidenhair fern or fern bush
• Bead grass
• Mixed greenery bush
• Patriotic red, white, and blue floral picks
• Red, white, and blue filler flowers
• Patriotic butterflies
• Optional star embellishments
• Patriotic ribbon
• Flex ribbon or sparkle ribbon
• Pipe cleaners

Instructions

Start with your bike wheel wreath frame. A blue wheel works beautifully for a patriotic design because it already ties into the red, white, and blue color palette. Before adding anything, decide where you want your main floral section to sit. This design is arranged on one section of the wheel rather than covering the entire frame, which allows the wheel shape to show.

Cut a small piece of Styrofoam to fit between the spokes. The foam does not need to be large. A piece around one inch by four inches works well, but you can adjust it depending on the size of your wheel. Trim the back of the foam slightly so it can sit securely between the spokes. Push it down into place so it grabs onto the spokes, then secure it with a zip tie. Keep the zip tie toward the inside so it is easier to hide later.

You only need about an inch or so of foam showing above the wheel. The more foam you use, the more flowers and greenery you will need to cover it, so keep it compact. Once the foam is attached tightly, you can begin adding greenery.

Start with maidenhair fern or a similar fern bush. Choose greenery that has wire running through the stems so you can bend and shape it. Cut the fern apart into smaller pieces. Add glue to the end of each stem and insert it into the Styrofoam. Place smaller pieces toward the inside of the wheel and longer pieces toward the outside.

As you place the greenery, keep your lines balanced. If your greenery extends about four inches outward from the outside of the wheel, try to extend it about the same distance toward the inside. This keeps the floral arrangement looking even and intentional. Bend the fern slightly so it has movement and does not lay flat.

Continue building your greenery base with different textures and shades of green. Use bead grass, mixed greenery, and fern pieces to create depth. A good rule of thumb is to use several shades of green because it makes the design look more natural. Pull apart fuller stems so you can stretch your supplies and spread the greenery throughout the foam.

If you have greenery or floral pieces that do not have a strong stem, attach them to a wooden pick. Place the piece against the stick, wrap the wire around it, then cover the mechanics with floral tape. Cut the stick at an angle so it can easily push into the foam. This is a great trick for flimsy pieces that need extra support.

Next, add your patriotic floral picks. Many coordinated picks have several pieces grouped together, such as flowers, berries, greenery, and small red, white, and blue accents. You can use the pick as one piece or separate it into smaller sections. If a piece feels too bulky, divide it and add a wooden pick to each section.

Place the first patriotic pick toward the outside of the design and spread the pieces apart so the colors show. Add another pick toward the top and one toward the inside. Try to distribute the red, white, and blue evenly so one color does not overpower the others. If you have a hole or empty spot, use a longer piece of greenery or a floral pick to fill it in.

Once the larger pieces are in place, create a small bow. For this design, thinner ribbon works best because you do not want the bow to take over the whole wheel. Cut an 18-inch tail, then make about five loops using six-inch loops. Add a second ribbon with slightly smaller five-inch loops. A flex ribbon or sparkle ribbon works especially well because it adds texture and fun without needing a lot of bulk.

Secure the bow tightly with a zip tie or pipe cleaner. Fluff the loops and let the flex ribbon move naturally. Attach the bow near the center of the floral arrangement, wrapping the pipe cleaner around the wheel or through the spokes. Adjust the tails so they curl or flow into the florals.

After the bow is attached, use your leftover floral pieces to fill any gaps. This is where small pieces are helpful. Add a little red, white, or blue wherever the design looks uneven. If a piece is not long enough, attach it to a stick to give it more length. This helps you place color exactly where you need it.

To finish the back, cover the mechanics with felt. Cut a piece of felt large enough to cover the foam and zip ties. Attach it with hot glue and floral pins. This gives the back a cleaner look and also helps protect the door from scratches. If you do not want the pins to show, glue another small piece of felt over them.

For the final touch, add patriotic butterflies and optional stars. Cut the butterflies apart and place them individually throughout the arrangement. Tuck one near the bow, one toward the top, and another near the outer edge. If the wires are too short, replace them with floral wire so they can be placed more easily.

Hold the wreath up and look at it from the front. If you see any empty spots, add small greenery or leftover floral pieces. Sometimes a wreath looks full on the table, but you notice gaps once it is upright. Fill those spaces until the design looks balanced.

This Patriotic Floral Bike Wheel Wreath is bright, cheerful, and full of summer personality. It is perfect for a front door, porch, craft booth, or handmade shop. The bike wheel gives it a unique shape, while the florals, ribbon, butterflies, and stars make it festive and fun.