Topiary

How to make Foam Topiary Designs.

Designed by Linda Mills.  Topiary design has been with us for centuries and is one of today’s hot decorating accents. Topiary is the art of cuting and trimming trees or shrubs into whimsical and ornamental shapes. More than likely, today’s topiary designs are found inside the home rather than the garden. Our three graceful designs are easily made using a base of Styrofoam* brand plastic foam. In just a few hours, you can make this home decorating accent for a fraction of the retail price.

Note: If your Styrofoam shape is white, you will need to paint it green. Use a green acrylic craft paint; solvent-based paints may melt the foam. For easier handling, insert a skewer, pencil or other sharp tool into the foam ball to serve as a handle while painting. Remove handle when done.

You will need...

2 - 5" balls of Styrofoam brand plastic foam, green or white. 
2 bunches boxwood. 
Sheet Moss. 
15" Natural branch 1" in diameter. 
Plaster of Paris. 
5" clay or decorative pot. 
Rocks (to weight pot).
Masking tape. 
Raffia. 
Acrylic paint, green (optional). 
Glue.

Boxwood Topiary

Designed by Linda Mills.

1. If your Styrofoam balls are white, paint one following instructions in Note above. 

2. Break the boxwood into 3" - 4" lengths. Dip stems in glue and insert into the Styrofoam ball, starting at the top. If you have difficulty inserting stems, make a small hole first with a wood pick or tip of scissors. Work around the ball, keeping stems even. Leave a small area uncovered at bottom of ball for wooden branch. 

3. If clay pot has a drainage hole, cover with masking tape. Place several rocks in pot to keep from tipping. Place second ball in pot, trimming sides with sharp knife if necessary. Glue in place. push branch into ball, remove and then glue in place. 

4. Gently push first Styrofoam ball onto branch; remove from stem, place glue in hole and return to branch. 

5. Cover top of pot with sheet moss. Tie raffia bow around branch.

You will need...

Harvest Box Topiary

Designed by Linda Mills.

1. If your Styrofoam is white, refer to NOTE on page one. 

2. Break the boxwood into 3" - 4" lengths. Dip stems in glue and insert into cone, beginning at the top. Work your way around and down the cone, keeping boxwood stems evenly spaced. 

3. Glue the cone to the clay pot, positioning it straight and securely. 

4. Treat the fruit slices with dry seal or an acrylic sealer (to avoid insects); let dry. 

5. Glue decorative items to the tree in a random pattern, filling in any gaps or uneven spaces. 

6. Spray entire tree lightly with dry seal. 

7. Cover Top of pot with sheet moss.

You will need...

Rosebud Topiary Tree

Designed by Betty Ann Lasley and Linda Mills.

1. If clay pot has a drainage hole, cover with masking tape. Place several rocks in pot to keep it from tipping. Place Styrofoam ball in pot, trimming sides with sharp knife if necessary. Glue in place. Push branch into ball, remove and then glue in place. 

2. If remaining Styrofoam ball is white, paint it green following instructions in Note on page one. 

3. Break the boxwood into 3" - 4" lengths. Dip stems in glue and insert into the Styrofoam ball, starting at the top. If you have difficulty inserting stems, make a small hole first with a wood pick or tip of scissors. Work around the ball, keeping stems even. Leave a small area uncovered at bottom of ball for wooden branch. 

4. Gently push Styrofoam ball onto branch; remove from branch, place glue in hole and return to branch.

5. Trim rose stems to 2" - 3" lengths. Add glue to stems and nestle roses in between boxwood stems. The roses wills tay in place without inserting stems into foam. 

6. Glue ribbon in loops at base of topiary, or glue ribbons to top of ball and swirl around ball, looping again at the bottom. Cover top of pot with sheet moss.