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Simple country topiary

September 14, 2011 by Barb 19 Comments

This plant which I think is millet grows in the ditches around my yard. Every July I pick a bundle, dry it, and fashion it into a sort of topiary-style arrangement. I’ve made dozens of these and given a few to my daughters. I’m always delighted to see that they are displaying them and that they look quite nice, perched either on their mantles or tables or end tables. They are so easy to make but bring an element of simple country elegance to your house.

Dried Topiary Tutorial

Dried Topiary Tutorial

Here’s a quick and easy tutorial:

Pick the millet, tie it into bunches and hang from a hanger until dry (1 month or so).

Dried Topiary Tutorial

Dried Topiary Tutorial

Strip off leaves and arrange in an even bunch secure with elastic bands and cut stems at bottom.

Dried Topiary Tutorial

Insert into rustic container and pack tightly with newspaper add some sphagnum moss voila!

20110907_4390-copy

20110907_4391-copy

Total cost, since I had all the material on hand from other projects over the years: $0.00! How much more frugal can you get?

Filed Under: DIY AND CRAFTS, HOME DECOR Tagged With: autumn, mantel

Comments

  1. deb duty says

    September 14, 2011 at 7:16 pm

    This is great. I love how they look. I’ll have to figure out if they grow around me. Thanks for including the tutorial. I’m so not crafty, but I could do this!

    Reply
  2. Seraphina´s Phantasie says

    September 14, 2011 at 8:03 pm

    Wow, what a wonderful decoration. Thank you for sharing this !

    Reply
  3. Evelyn S. says

    September 14, 2011 at 8:06 pm

    How beautiful! The only millet I know is the purple/chocolate kind that my sister grows in her greenhouse to put into beautiful pots on her patio. Deer don’t like millet!

    Reply
  4. Deanna says

    September 14, 2011 at 9:12 pm

    Love this topiary, it says FALL and I bet it looks great on your mantle. Thanks for including the “how to”. I don’t remember seeing millet around here but we have a ton of cat-tails across the street. Might just try it with those.

    Reply
  5. Nancy @ A Rural Journal says

    September 14, 2011 at 10:51 pm

    Just beautiful, Barb. I love the fact you used something from outdoors and didn’t have to buy anything expensive.

    We don’t have millet here like that — unless the birds drop it from the bird feeder and it grows, which happens sometimes. :)

    Reply
  6. A Rosy Note says

    September 15, 2011 at 12:09 am

    Oh, love this! It’s rustic and refined all rolled into one. I don’t know if millet grows around here…all I ever see is weeds :)

    Reply
  7. Pieces of Sunshine says

    September 15, 2011 at 2:30 am

    They look fantastic. The tutorial and photos are wonderful.

    Reply
  8. Nadege, says

    September 15, 2011 at 3:34 am

    They look wonderful and I love the way they age.

    Reply
  9. Susan says

    September 15, 2011 at 3:49 pm

    Very pretty, our pastures used to have this grass when I was growing up. It always reminded me of mini-cattails!

    Reply
  10. Ms. Becky says

    September 15, 2011 at 7:27 pm

    you are so talented and creative. and you make everything look so easy peasy. love the fall look here. the first photo is fantastic! love it. happy day to you Barb.

    Reply
  11. Natasha in Oz says

    September 15, 2011 at 10:41 pm

    I just love this idea! I can also see that I’m going to love your Autumn mantel too!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

    Reply
  12. Maria says

    September 16, 2011 at 2:43 am

    This is so beautiful! I love the natural look, really beautiful!

    Reply
  13. Marissa @Life On Our Side Of The Mountain says

    September 16, 2011 at 3:02 am

    Love this!

    Reply
  14. hundredsofideas says

    September 16, 2011 at 10:40 am

    this can be used from cozy cottage to formal elegance!! Love it.

    Reply
  15. lisa says

    September 16, 2011 at 11:42 pm

    This is wonderful, and thank you so much for sharing the “how-to” here!

    Reply
  16. Sherry says

    September 20, 2011 at 5:05 pm

    That is very striking! Love it. Thank You for linking this with Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

    Reply
  17. Sherrie St. Hilaire says

    September 28, 2011 at 1:03 am

    Sooooo beautiful! I am officially your newest FAN! This topiary is so lovely…can’t wait to make one. Thank you for sharing. Seriously…Thank you!

    Reply
  18. Jilly says

    November 8, 2011 at 5:40 am

    Well, you are so talented and creative. and you make everything look so easy. The first photo is fantastic and really interesting way of ordering.
    high visibility vests

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Autumn mantle love says:
    September 27, 2013 at 12:50 pm

    […] my homemade millet topiaries […]

    Reply

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Welcome! I'm Barb, and this is where I practice my mantra to "learn something new, try something different". It's my hope that something I do here may inspire you! Read More…

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