Oak Hydrangea Leaf

by Minnie's Milestones by Jonni

Fantastic Oak Hydrangea Leaf made with vinyl concrete. Detailed directions HERE!

oak hydrangea leaf, concrete masonry, crafts, flowers, gardening, hydrangea, outdoor living

I have been making concrete leaves for many years. I have several throughout my yard used as bird baths, fountains/spitters and garden room décor. I will share those in a later blog. I also give them as gifts to family and friends.

This is going to be a step by step instructional.

Lately I have had several friends interested in making their own leaves. There are many instructions of different ways to make concrete leaves, but I have found over the fifteen years of making them that mine have stood the test of time. Including ice, snow, heat and grandchildren playing with them.

Start with a leaf. Big ones are nice but the smaller leaf of the oak hydrangea is my favorite.

Supplies:

VINYL Concrete Patcher (Quikrete)

Play Sand

Tub (large enough to hold the leaf)

Wheel Barrow or Tub to mix the Quikrete

Hoe

Plastic Wrap

Plastic Gloves

Mound the sand up to the shape you want the leaf to take on and long enough for the leaf in a tub. Cover the sand with plastic wrap.

Mix the Quikrete with water extremely well with the hoe. Be sure to add plenty of water. Notice the consistency of the cement. Put the front side of the leaf on the mound of sand. Start putting the cement onto the leaf in small amounts and pat consistently to the form of the leaf.

It is best not to have any folds in the leaf, but this was quite a large leaf and was almost unavoidable. Not to worry though, it will still look great!

Let DRY- do not be anxious to see your finished leaf. I like to leave them up to a week depending on the weather to dry. Lift the leaf off carefully and let cure for several weeks before painting or using them.

This is the leaf in the above demonstration a year later.

Enjoyed the project?

You can do it! Saved to your projects

Frequently asked questions

Have a question about this project?

Ask a Question

2 questions

Tara on Jul 15, 2016
will spray paint work or do I need just concrete paint?

1
Tara on Jul 15, 2016
Will spray paint work or do need to get the concrete paint?

1

Comments

Join the conversation

2 of 146 comments

Desiree on Aug 15, 2021

Absolutely Beautiful. Thanks for the comprehensive tutorial, I can't wait to try this.

Like Reply
Minnie's Milestones by Jonni on Aug 15, 2021

Thank you.

Like Reply