How to Make Flower Topiaries

Find a natural twig approximately 1/2 inch in diameter, 14 inches long, and as straight as possible. If you don't have access to natural twigs or branches, paint a 14-inch piece of 1/2-inch dowel, using an earthy shade to simulate natural wood. Allow to dry.

Prepare a 4-inch pot for the base of your topiary. You can get as fancy as you wish with this, but a painted terracotta pot works fine. Sponge painting the pot in muted colors that blend well with the flowers used in the topiary makes an attractive pot.

Cut a piece of floral foam to fit the bottom of the pot. Insert the end of the dowel into the foam and make sure the dowel stands straight. Following the product directions, mix plaster of Paris and pour it around the base of the dowel to fill the pot. (This adds weight to your topiary preventing it from tipping over.) Allow to dry completely.

Insert the top of the dowel into the foam ball and glue in place with a dab of low melt hot glue or craft glue. Cover the foam ball with Spanish moss. This will provide the base for your topiary and create a natural background for your flowers.

Cut silk leaves to the desired length and glue in place to cover the foam ball. Select individual flowers and glue in place among the leaves. Add baby's breath or white statice at intervals to create an airy appearance.

Glue Spanish moss to the top of the pot, covering the plaster of Paris to create the appearance of vegetation. Add decorative ribbons or bows as desired.