How to Make Boxwood Christmas Topiaries


Materials Needed:
- 2 12" cone-shaped foam topiary forms
- 8 fresh or preserved boxwood branches (preserved branches can be bought online or ordered through florists)
- florist wire
- wire cutters
- 2 pots or urn-shaped containers
Select Form and Pot
Topiaries can be made in cones, spheres, half spheres and two-tiered forms. Select the desired form shape and size and a complementary pot. A cone form should sit down inside the pot. Tip: It's best to buy a pot slightly larger than the size that might seem appropriate. Once the boxwood sprigs are added, the finished topiary will be much larger than the foam form.


Trim Boxwood Sprigs
Pull or trim sprigs off a large preserved boxwood branch (Image 1). Trim sprigs down even further to about 2-3-inch pieces (Image 2). Cut just above a row of leaves for the best look (Image 3).



Create Bunches for Topiary Top
For a cone-shaped topiary, create 4-5 bunches of boxwood sprigs by gathering 3-4 individual sprigs and bundling them together with a length of florist wire. Tuck bunches into top of form (Images 1 and 2).


Finish Topiary and Trim
Working your way down, cover topiary form with bundled bunches of boxwood sprigs, leaving about 1-2 inches around the bottom uncovered. Pot topiary, and make sure all the foam is covered (Images 1 and 2). Add individual boxwood sprigs to any gaps, if necessary. Add a dab of hot glue to the bottom of the form to secure it in the pot if needed. Trim leaves with scissors to groom the topiary (Image 3). Keep out of intense, direct sunlight and mist with water every couple of weeks to keep leaves hydrated and looking their best (Image 4).



