How to Make a Gorgeous Topiary That’s Perfect for Fall and Winter

8 Materials
$40
1 Hour
Easy


There is nothing better than that perfect seasonal decor to get into the holiday season. It feels, though, like autumn turns into winter so quickly sometimes that you don’t even have time to switch out your decor. In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through the process of making a quick and easy topiary that will work for both seasons!

Tools and materials:

  • Tomato cage
  • Apple basket
  • Rocks
  • Pliers
  • Cable ties
  • Flowerpot
  • Garland
  • Fairy lights
Outdoor topiary
Set up your base


Start off by taking your rocks and putting them into the bottom of your apple basket. This will provide weight so that your topiary doesn’t blow away. Then grab an ordinary plastic flowerpot and place it upside down into the basket. 

DIY outdoor topiary
Add the tomato cage


Grab your tomato cage and stick into the basket, around the flowerpot, securing it with cable ties. Then take your pliers and pull the tops of the tomato cage towards each other, using some floral wire to hold them together.

Outdoor faux topiary
Add the garland


Now you’re going to grab your garland and start wrapping it around the tomato cage until you get to the top. Be sure to wrap around the individual wires to keep the garland secure in place. Then go back and fluff up the garland all around to make it look more put together. 

Outdoor topiary tree
Add the lights


Regardless of the season you’re decorating for, you definitely want to add some lights. So start wrapping your fairy lights around the tree, all the way to the top. Once you’re done with that, you’ve got your base ready to decorate for the different seasons. 

Outdoor Christmas topiary
Add the fall touches


You’re now going to add different decorations to turn the topiary into a fall one. You can use a roll of burlap as a ribbon and/or other fall-colored ribbons to wrap around the tree. Then stick different-colored flowers into different areas of the tree, and your tree will be ready for autumn.

Outdoor fall topiary
Turn it into winter


When fall is over and you’re ready to transition into winter, start by taking out the fall pieces until you’re left with the tree and fairy lights. Then, the same way you decorated for autumn, go ahead and decorate for winter. Some great things to use are wired silver ribbon, sparkly and frosted floral picks, and pinecones.

Autumn topiary tree


Winter topiary tree


That’s it, y’all! This project is so easy to do and also so much fun. These trees are absolutely beautiful and such a great way to bring in the season. You can really customize them with the different ways you decorate them, so don’t be afraid to get creative and make them your own. Which version do you like better? Winter or fall? Let me know in the comments! 

Resources for this project:
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Sarah Vanderkooy
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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Frequently asked questions
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  3 questions
  • Barb Barb on Nov 16, 2020

    Where did the tee-shirt up-cycle go? The topiaries are lovely though.


  • Pat Pat on Nov 17, 2020

    Loved your idea! I have the tomato cages, and several large pots from previous plants. Couldn’t I use them instead of the apple baskets? I can’t wait to get into my Christmas containers for the garlands and to see what else I have in there.

    Thanks!

  • Teresa Teresa on Nov 25, 2020

    What has this got to do with t-shirts???

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