Farmer's Garden
Topiary Centerpiece

An easy to make garden topiary centerpiece to brighten any occasion. A simple clay pot is an excellent container and provides weight so the topiary will not tip. Depending on your tastes, the clay pot could be placed into another slightly larger ornamental pot or basket.

Materials:

• Clay pot proportionate in size to the finished topiary
• A branch or stick to serve as the trunk - sharp ends optional
• A block of soaked floral foam, cut in half
• Moistened sheet moss or Spanish moss
• Fruits and vegetables - such as mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, hot peppers, brussel-sprouts, grapes, cherries, lemons, limes
• Flowers - such as roses, solidago, statice, queen Anne's lace, bee balm, asters, daisies or whatever's available
• Greenery such as herbs, ivy or any non-poisonous leaves
• A bit of raffia to finish it off

Procedure:

• Line the clay pot with foil or plastic
• Place a half block into the clay pot, leaving an inch above the rim
• Push the trunk into the floral foam in the pot
• Push the other half of the floral foam onto the upper end of the trunk
• Use toothpicks, wire or florist picks to attach the fruit and vegetables to the top block of foam and to the surface of the bottom block
• Insert short stems of flowers into the foam blocks, randomly but evenly spaced for balance
• Tuck in bits of moss to cover the foam
• Tuck in sprigs of herbs or leaves
• Finish off with a bit of raffia

Most fresh materials can be found at the farmer's market or in your own garden. Misting with water to keep your garden topiary moist will help keep it fresh up to a week or more.