Hello Friends! You know I don’t fancy myself a DIYer however, I have a fun craft you seriously need to try. But first I have a confession – I love fake greenery. There I said it. I know some decorators hate it and think the only place for a super fake plant is in the very real garbage. I get it. Well aside from how cute these are, they bring the outdoors in and fake always looks fresh. Unlike when I had real plants that always look brown and dead. I may be known around here as Brown Thumb Betty even though my name is Cindy. No offense to anyone named Betty out there. Wait, now that I type that out, maybe they’re saying Bitty. Hmmm.
Anyway, if you’re like me and want a quick craft to show off how brilliant you are, this is for you! I’m going to show you how to make your own topiaries! Plus, depending on your container, this is much less expensive compared to buying a ready made topiary in this particular size and fabulousness.
How To Make Your Own Topiaries
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Materials Needed:
2 – greenery stems/mini bushes (I got these at Hobby Lobby)
Sticks/limbs from your yard (They should be fairly straight and stiff)
You can do this in 6 Easy Steps!
Step 1: Find one thick or two semi thick limbs from your yard. I personally think 3 thin or 2 medium sized sticks look better than one. Cut them to your desired length. I cut mine at 18 inches because I wanted a 30″ topiary and my container was 5″ deep. Eyeballing works great too.
Step 2: Cut the floral foam and stuff it inside the container making sure it’s snug. The topiary will be a little top heavy. If your container isn’t heavy enough consider adding rocks to the bottom before you add the foam.
If you’ve cut away too much foam it’s okay to stuff in extra pieces. You don’t want it to be loose. You may even want to hot glue it in. The foam process can be messy so if you can do it outside, you’ll appreciate it.
Fit those stems in snuggly
Step3: Find the center and shove your stick(s) in all the way down through the floral foam. Try not to wiggle the sticks side to side. This makes the hole bigger and you do not want that. Again, you can also hot glue them in.
Try to match your floral tape to the stems
Step 4: If you decided to use 2 or more limbs, bind them together at the top with floral tape.
Step 5: Put together the 2 mini bushes and join them together at the top of the limbs using more floral tape . I fluffed only one side of each bush and put the two flat sides together.
Moss gives you a finished look
Step 6: I added sheet moss to cover the floral foam but you can add Spanish moss or small pebbles instead if you’d like. Just use something so it looks finished and more professional.
If the floral tape bothers you, using twine or ribbon will also work and be super cute but wrap it with floral tape first to hold it together. Then you can cover the tape with whatever you prefer.
None of the stems in my yard were actually straight but I love these things anyway. They are tall, made by yours truly and versatile because they look good just about anywhere! But the absolute bestest part? You never have to water them! You’re welcome. 😉 Now that you know how to make your own topiaries, do you think you’ll try it?
If you like DIY’s, check out my Spring Door Decor by clicking here.
Love, love, love a good topiary project! I really like the plants you chose for these.
Author
Thanks Stacey! I thought those little cuties were just floppy and happy enough to make a great topiary! Hope you have a great week.
I love the symmetry of topiaries but they usually are too pricey so this idea is perfect! I do love real plants but they are not realistic in every situation.Plus I think mixing faux plants among real plants make them all seem real with less upkeep. I love these! The relaxed shape makes them look more realistic too! You are so clever!
Author
I think they are pricey too. Especially the reserved boxwood. Goodness gracious. You’d think they were made from diamonds. Thanks for stopping by and I agree with your very good point. Not the I’m so clever part but that mixing faux with real makes them seem more real. 😉
These are SO cute! Love them… and the plate in the frame… and the blue bottles!
Author
Well thank you Patricia! Do you remember that frame and what it had in it before the plate? I’ve had it since 2003. Hmmm…
Cindy these look so real, I love them. I like fake plants too, they are easy and not messy. I have a lot of greenery in my house and like you I don’t care what any says 😂
Author
LOL. Thanks Barbara. I feel like saying well if you don’t like my fake plants, leave! Just kidding. Those big time grumpy decorators aren’t in my house anyway. 😉
I love this idea! Topiaries are one of my favorite things and I, too, love fake greenery. I have both fake and real plants all over the house. I’m definitely going to try this.
Author
Yay Kim! Show us a picture on FB when you get them done! And I’m so glad I’m not the only one willing to admit I like fake greenery! 😉 We can all go to therapy together.
Loved your topiaries and mantel decor. Fake flowers and greenery definitely have a place in my household; I have black thumbs and am retired. When they get dusty, I slosh them quickly through warm soapy water and they are all ready to go again! Of course, this year, swishing them through fluffy snow worked well, too!
Author
You and I must have gotten our black thumbs at the same place. 😉. But Isn’t it nice to have greenery inside even in the snow?!
I love these! Fake flowers are the only ones i can keep alive
Author
I know right?! Thanks Jessica for visiting. 😀
This is something I DEFINITELY would like to try. Thank you for this post!
Author
So glad you like it. It’s super easy – really! Thanks for stopping by.
This reminds me of the topiaries we made in Bible study when year. Do you remember those? So clever. I love your whole vignette.
Author
I do remember those round ball topiaries! These are so much cuter and easier to make. I wonder if anyone still uses one?! Yikes. Thanks for the sweet comment. 😉
Love these… I have some really cute pots that I plan on using for this same purpose! Love the real ‘sticks’ you used. (Visiting from Friday Friends Parade!)
Author
Thank you Julie! They were super fun. I look forward to seeing your blog post about the ones you make! And thanks for stopping by today!
Great tutorial CIndy. “Faux” greenery is such high quality these days that it makes perfect sense to use it when the situation is right. Especially if you don’t have a green thumb or the light isn’t good. Thanks for sharing.
Author
Thanks Carol! I totally agree. Especially with my brown thumbs. 🙂. Thanks for visiting today.
Love it!
Author
Thanks Clearissa! They were so easy! My kind of craft. 😉
wow they look totally fabulous! can’t believe you made them! featuring you tomorrow as part of Thursday favorite Things!
Author
Wow, Thanks Angelina! Super excited and totally honored!
Great post! Fake is the only way my plants and flowers survive! I’ve been inspired to create one!
Author
Yay Lisa! When I saw the post with the picture of Tory Burch’s room on the Sanctuary Home blog, it inspired me to make more! I want lots more! 😉 Thanks for visiting.
Adorable!!!!! I have a lot of real plants all over my house but I would be more than ok with these, they are too cute for words!!!!!!!!!!
Author
You are cracking me up Debbie! So glad you’ve visited so many pages. I love it! I’ll be sure and hop over to yours soon. Thanks again. ❤️
I could see making a topiary for the parents’ grave. That would be fun and cool. Thanks for the how-to-do.
The View from the Top of the Ladder
Author
I’ve never thought of that. Cute idea! Thanks for visiting. 😊