| Bay-Leaf Topiary |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-107 |
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Q: Help me, Debbie! I would like some great centerpiece ideas but don't want to spend a fortune at the florist. Any ideas?
A: (Debbie Stapley, Ask DIY Crafts expert) How about a bay-leaf topiary? It looks kind of like a live tree and it will last a long time. You can make it yourself using many materials you probably already have in your cupboard. Here's how: Materials:
A round-rimmed ceramic pot or planter
Florist's foam to fit inside
A stick from the backyard, about 18 inches tall and as wide as your forefinger
Glue gun
Dried moss
Sage-color spray paint
A tree-shaped foam cone
Enough dry bay leaves to cover the surface with some overlap
Straight pins
Buyer's guide: Use a green cone if you have one. If not, use green spray paint to make it the right color. - Cut the florist's foam to fit the pot (figure A) and then push it down in the pot until it's a couple of inches below the rim.
Nobody's perfect: Don't push the foam too hard, or you might break the pot. - Cut a stick from a tree in the yard and push it into the center of the StyrofoamB. -- straight or leaning a bit, either way looks good. If you like, add some hot glue to the base to steady the stick, using a low-temperature glue gun.
- Push the cone, pointed end up, onto the stick (figure B), leaving six or eight inches of stick showing at the bottom to be the "trunk" of the topiary.
- Cover the florist's foam at the top of the pot with moss, pressing it around the base of the tree.
Working smarter: Any type of dry moss will always fade or turn brown eventually, so spray it with sage paint (figure C) in a well-ventilated area and let it dry before you put it on your centerpiece. - Put the leaves on the cone. First group together leaves that are a similar size to go in the same row. Working from the bottom up, start a row by overlapping two leaves and pinning them lengthwise along the bottom edge of the cone, stems up (figure D). Overlap each new leaf with the one beside it before pinning it on, so each leaf has two pins in it and each pin goes through two leaves. When you're done with one row, move up and do another, letting those leaves cover the pins on the row below.
- To cover the pins on the very top row, create a fan of small bay leaves with the glue gun. Then glue the two edges together to create a bay leaf cone and put it on top of the topiary like a hat.
More questions for Debbie:
Q: Will the bay leaves lose their color and scent?
A: Yes, they will, but it takes a long time. A topiary that's a year and half old, for example, is somewhat browner but still looks nice and smells great. If you really want it to stay green, you can use some of the sage spray paint on the leaves.
Q: Can I use something other than bay leaves to make the topiary?
A: Yes, you can. Use glycerin-preserved sisal leaves. Only a few craft stores carry them, and they're a bit more expensive, but that's a nice look too.
Q: How can you dress up the topiary for special occasions?
A: One good idea is to glue together two identical stars cut from corrugated cardboard, with a toothpick sandwiched inside. Add a bit of raffia and stick that into the top of the tree for a really cute Christmas star. For other holidays, just change the ribbon around the pot. Web site resources for bay-leaf topiary: Art of Topiary from Geocities.com Rose Bud Topiary from Craft Outlet.com Christmas Candy Topiary from Makestuff.com Leaf Topiary E Z Herb Topiary Kit from Floral Home.com Creating a Stuffed Topiary Topiary Herb Plant Article Books:
Quick & Easy Indoor Topiary: Crafting & Decorating With Nature
By Chris Jones (1998)
Storey Communications
Schoolhouse Rd.
Pownal, VT 05261
Phone: 802-826-5200
Fax: 802-823-5819
Web site: www.storey.com
Quick & Easy Topiary & Green Sculpture
By Jenny Handy (1996)
Storey Communications
Schoolhouse Rd.
Pownal, VT 05261
Phone: 802-826-5200
Fax: 802-823-5819
Web site: www.storey.com The Art of Shaping Plants & Gardens in Containers
By Margherita Lombardi
Sterling Publishing Company Inc. (1999)
387 Park Ave., S.
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-532-7160
Fax: 212-213-2495
Customer Service Phone: 800-367-9692
Customer Service Fax: 800-542-7567
E-mail: webmaster@sterlingpub.com
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