Fall Topiary Tree DIY

Hello Sweet Friends,

Today I’m bringing you a fabulous new DIY for the fall using a Dollar Tree toilet plunger! Yes, you read that correctly! Follow along and see how I created a beautiful fall topiary. By the time I’m finished you would have never guessed I used a plunger if I had not told you ahead of time.
Let’s “plunge” right in:

Items needed for Fall Topiary Tree

• Dollar Tree plunger
• brown paint or stain
• assorted fall florals and leaves
• assorted fall ribbons, wire or pipe cleaners to tie with
• crock or other weighted container
• floral foam pieces, 2 blocks and 1 round
• twine and berry garland, optional
• spanish moss, optional
• wire cutters, scissors, glue gun

I began this project by removing the label from the plunger and staining it brown. I used Waverly antique wax, but could have easily used stain or brown paint for the same effect. I also cut the off the outer edge of the plunger, then glued a few fall leaves around it to camouflage it. This was used to create the top part of the topiary.

Next, I glued the two blocks of foam into my container. If you use a lightweight container, you will need to add something to weight it down; rock, pebbles, etc. The crock I used already has some weight to it, so I didn’t need to add any extra weight.

I trimmed down the corners of the foam to fit the container. FYI – I got my crock container from Walmart.

The next step was to insert the plunger into the foam-filled crock. For the finished topiary to be stable, two to three inches deep should work. I glued a round piece of foam to the top, using lots of glue. Adding some E6000 glue would be a good idea, too. Then I wrapped some wired twine and small berry garland (from the Dollar Tree) around the plunger to add some interest.

Now the “tree trunk” was ready for its leaves and flowers. I began by cutting the leaves into single stems using wire cutters. I used 8 – 10 bundles or bushes of fall leaves from Dollar Tree, saving some back for the base of the crock.

I made sure to place the leaf stems in all directions. It didn’t look like much at first, but I just kept adding leaves.

When I had a nice sphere shape, I was ready to start adding some florals and accessory stems. The sunflowers, bittersweet, feathers, etc. were also from DT. I cut them into individual stems before using.

I ended up using three or four bundles/bushes of sunflowers for the top of the topiary, saving a few blooms back for the base of the crock.

I put back some bittersweet and feathers for the base, too.

I then made a few simple bows to add the the base of the tree, tying them off in the middle with a pipe cleaner.

The final step was to add the leaves, florals, and ribbon to the crock at the base of the topiary tree. Also add some Spanish moss to any places where the foam is showing through.

I found the perfect spot for my fall topiary on my mantel shelf. Wow! I’m so please with how this looks! I hope I’ve inspired you to try making one of your very own. You could use a different container, different florals, etc. to match your decor. The variations are limitless!
You can also find a DIY for the wreath here on my blog.
https://craftsysoul.com/dollar-tree-diy-autumn-wreath/

See you all next time.
Happy Fall and Happy Crafting!

Pamela