Turtle Topiary

by Vanessa D.

6 Materials

I had come across a Pin of an adorable turtle topiary planted with succulents. Unfortunately, it was a dead-end pin so no instructions.

But I remembered these wire hanging baskets at the dollar store. With one of those, a roll of chicken wire and four clay pots I knew I could make my turtle.

I filled the basket with cactus soil and a layer of sphagnum moss and chicken wire to close up the basket. I wired 4 clay pots to the underside. I used washers to anchor the wire inside the pots.

Once the basket was full of soil, I made formed chicken wire into a tube and stuffed it with moss for the head. I made a smaller cone shape with chicken wire for the tail.

Then I slashed the coir and planted succulents to make the shell. I've made several since this first turtle. Usually now I use moss to line the entire basket instead of the liner it comes with. I also prefer to break up the clusters of succulents so the shell can be planted more evenly.

Here is one I made recently. I planted this one with spring pansies instead of succulents. He makes a cheery addition to my deck!

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Wire hanging basket with coir liner (Dollar Store)
4 Clay pots (Dollar Store)
Roll of Chicken wire (Dollar Store)
Sphagnum Moss (Dollar Store)
Cactus Soil (Garden Center)
Assorted Succulents (Dollar Store)

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4 of 6 comments

Brenda S. on Mar 08, 2017

So adorable :) I need to make one of these!!

1 Reply
- Vanessa D. on Mar 08, 2017
  They look really cute in the garden!
  
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Carol Thomas on Mar 08, 2017

Love 💘this! Can't wait to make one

1 Reply
- Vanessa D. on Mar 09, 2017
  They are pretty quick to make. I hope you enjoy planting your own!
  
  1