DIY Network

Topiary Topiary From "Ask DIY Decorating & Crafts" episode DADD-105

Q: I don't have a green thumb, but still like to have greenery in the house. How can I use silk plants in an arrangement?

A: (DIY crafts expert Debbie Stapely) I will never give up on trying to keep my house full of live plants, but it's nice to have at least a handful of "plants" that you never have to worry about. So here's how to make a topiary using silk plants. Even at eye level, this one appears to be real because of the way we're arranging it.

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Steps:

1. Choose a pot (terra cotta works great -- and it's easy to decorate).

2. Whitewash the pot with watered-down white acrylic craft paint. Let dry.

3. Age the surface by sponging or ragging on splotches of moss-green paint, accented with little patches of black.

4. Finish with a very light whitewash and glaze with antique medium (alternatively, you may want to stamp it or gold leaf it -- the possibilities are endless).

5. Mix plaster of Paris inside a disposable container, following the package directions.

6. When the plaster reaches a very thick consistency, place the bottom of the wreath a couple of inches into it. Also, place the main stem of the silk plant into the plaster and hold or prop up both until the plaster has completely set up. This should take only a few minutes.

7. Wrap each vine of the plant around the wreath, half of them going up the left side, and the other half going up the right side. If the vines on your plant are not wired, you may need to secure them to the wreath with green twist ties, twine or raffia, or whatever else you may have at home that would work.

8. Place the plant inside the pot and cover the disposable container with green moss. You can even use a glue gun to secure the moss to the base of the topiary.

Now you can sit back and enjoy never having to water or feed this plant all year long! Just remember to make sure the plaster is thick before adding your topiary structure and vines to it. It sets up quickly, so have everything you need nearby.