Topiary Instructions

Fruit Tabletop Topiary

• You can create a timeless centerpiece for your table with fruit, adding an elegant element to your home. You will need fruits, such as pears, plums, lemons, limes, oranges, blueberries or cranberries. A good mix of large and small works well. Using toothpicks covered in wood glue, place your first fruit around the bottom of a Styrofoam cone by placing the toothpick in one end of the fruit, and sliding the other end into the foam cone. Begin another farther up on the cone and place around the cone using toothpicks. The next smaller fruit will be placed around the cone in rows in the same manner. Fill the gaps with the smaller fruit, cutting the toothpicks in half. Use decorative leaves and place them randomly between the fruit, securing the ends of the leaves with wood glue, as well. The cone should have the tip cut off so you can place the fruit on top. After the entire piece has dried, place on a cake pedestal or plate for display. If you prefer to use less fruit, you can first cover the cone in moist sheet moss before placing the fruit. You need to leave some space between the pieces of fruit with this method to allow the moss to show between the fruit.

Using a Form

• If you are going to use a form to create a topiary, you need to stuff any arms, legs, paws, ears, and head with moist sphagnum moss. Wrap fishing line around the form to keep the moss in place. Wrap the entire form with moist sheet moss, making sure to press the moss onto the form. Wrap with fishing line, then remove any excess moss. Push the vine or plant through the center of the form by making a hole in the moss. Put the roots in the cavity of the form and pack more moss and some soil in and over the roots. Be sure the vine is hanging out of the form, and use florist pins to pin them to the form. Water regularly and continue to pin the shoots of the vine down until the entire form is covered.

Making a Spiral Topiary

• A beautiful spiral topiary adds charm and elegance to any home. Whether they are in pots or planted in the ground, you can create an easy spiral by first tying ribbon or tape to the top of the plant or tree. Allow it to spiral down and around (similar to a candy cane). You will need grass shears to cut into the tree, following the line of the ribbon or tape. After you have cut down the entire spiral, remove the ribbon or tape and begin pruning away, all the way to the trunk. Round off the edges and cut the finishing touches using the grass shears. Your tree will continue to grow year after year, so cut the top off if you wish the tree to remain the same size. Trim your topiary at the beginning of each summer to maintain the spiral shape.

  It's best to use a dwarf Alberta spruce.