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How to Make a Topiary Tree with Lamb’s Ear

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Hey everyone!  It’s been a busy week here at My Wee Abode (as always), but not so busy that I couldn’t sneak-in a quick project.  This one actually took less than 45 minutes!  Today, I’m going to show you how to make a topiary tree with Lamb’s Ear!

three photos of various stages of making a topiary tree with lambs ear

I have always thought topiary trees are a beautiful addition to any home!  Have you seen these at your local home and décor stores?  Well, I have, and they can be a little pricey! Boxwood, olive branches, moss, just to name a few varieties!  But, I wanted to make mine a bit different.

You can see more “different” at My Word of the Year with a Twist and DIY Coastal Wooden Bead Garland posts!

I love Lamb’s Ear. The soft fuzzy leaves and stem, the silvery-blue-green color… it kinda shouts ‘coastal farmhouse’ to me. Maybe even a little cottage-style!  I think the color and texture transitions well from summer to fall, too.  So, I decided I would learn how to make a topiary tree with Lamb’s Ear!  Let’s do this together!

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For more information, see my complete disclosure HERE.

WHAT YOU NEED

Some of these items I’ve collected over time on little shopping trips, but, for your convenience, I will link up the items that are similar to what I used.

  • Lamb’s Ear branches (Note: I bought mine at Hobby Lobby, 50% off, and I was VERY happy with the quality)
  • Lamb’s Ear Floral picks (optional… you can cut another branch up and use those, too)
  • White Floral tape (Again, Hobby Lobby, with a coupon)
  • 5” Styrofoam Ball (Just go to Dollar Tree, $1)
  • 4” Floral Foam Squares (Again, Dollar Tree, $1)
  • White rock (PLEASE, go to Dollar Tree, if not just for this!)
  • 6” Terra Cotta Pot, or any pot you like (I bought mine at Michael’s in the spring… I can’t find anything online like it… sorry)
  • Glue Gun and glue sticks

terra cotta pot lambs ear branch floral supplies knife wire cutters(Keeping it real here… with buying my items from Dollar Tree, and all the other items being on sale, I made TWO of these topiary trees for a total of $22.00, with plenty of materials left for more projects.  That’s a steal!)

CREATING THE TREE

  1. Take the branch and stand it up just outside the pot. Adjust for the height you would like and cut off the excess at the bottom. (See the branch cut below)
  2. Using the floral tape, add the extra sprigs of Lamb’s Ear to the top of the branch. This is optional, but I wanted it a bit fuller than just the branch.  I also took the last stem of leaves on the branch and taped it to the ‘trunk’ (see the photo below)… again, this is optional… you make it ‘yours’.  (Note: Floral tape is stretchy and can be a little ‘delicate’… It sometimes tears off while using it.  It’s fine… just go back a little from where it tore off and start over.  Try it… it works because it sticks to itself!)

four photos of lambs ear stems and floral supplies

STYROFOAM PLACEMENT

  1. Place the floral square in the bottom of the pot to use as a ‘filler’.
  2. Place the Styrofoam ball at the top, and mark around the perimeter for a cutting pattern.
  3. Using a sharp knife (or whatever you find works best for cutting foam… this is what I had), follow the mark around the foam and score the marks first, then cut around, a bit deeper each time as you go around (it took me two times around to cut completely through). Place the foam dome (LOL) inside the pot.

six photos terra cotta pot green stryrofoam floral supplies on white table

TREE PLACEMENT

  1. Because using the large branch to make the first hole is bit tricky, use the piece of the ‘trunk’ that was cut off and carefully pushed it down through the middle of the foam. Then remove it.
  2. Take your glue gun and ‘shoot’ some glue down the hole, and immediately take your tree and push it in after the glue. Then, add some additional glue around the top of the foam where the tree is based at.
  3. Here’s a little added trick! You can make these trees interchangeable!  So, if you want to put an olive topiary in at another time, all you have to do is pop out the Lamb’s Ear, make an olive branch tree, and pop it in!  Easy peasy!
  4. Now just add the rock… and voila!  Pretty easy to learn how to make a topiary tree with Lamb’s Ear, huh?

four photos terra cotta pot green stryrofoam floral supplies on white table

I love the way the terra cotta color compliments the silvery blue-green leaves!

topiary tree in terra cotta pot with framed wall art that says big thanks small home birch branches and wooden bead garland on white table

Wanna know where you can get this fall printable wall art?  Just subscribe to the blog HERE and get immediate and total access to My Wee Abode’s free printables library!

Love the color (have I said that before? 😉 )… and how the light bounces off and through the leaves!

close up of lambs ear topiary tree

My Wooden Farmhouse Bead Garland making another appearance!

terra cotta pot and white rock with framed wall art that says big thanks small home birch branches and wooden bead garland on white table

That light, though!!!!

topiary tree in terra cotta pot with aqua candle sitting in metal candle holder birch branches and wooden bead garland on white table

Love these starfish that I picked up from HomeGoods!

terra cotta pot starfish birch branches and wooden bead garland on white table

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!  If you decide to try your hand at this easy and, dare I say, beautiful craft, I would love for you to share a photo of it on my Facebook Page! Also, let me know what you think in the comments below!

Thanks for being a part of My Wee Abode!  You are what makes this blog a happy place! 😉

hugs and three hearts with signature Julie

PIN IT FOR LATER!topiary tree in terra cotta pot with aqua candle sitting in metal candle holder birch branches and wooden bead garland on white table

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65 Comments

    1. Thanks, Sonya! Yes, the first time I saw that pot, I decided not to buy it…. the second time I thought, “You are going to be SO sorry if you don’t get those!” I’m REALLY glad I did! Michael’s always has cute planters/containers! 😉

    1. Thanks, Kay! And your kind words about my photography made my day! I’m thankful that I’m seeing a wee bit of improvement… LONG way to go! Hugs… hope you have a blessed week!

    1. Yes… I wish they were still available! But, Michael’s always has cute little containers. 😉 Thanks for sharing, Peg! Love ya!

    1. Dana!!! So glad you liked the topiary! I would LOVE to see your tree when you are finished! Feel free to share it on my FB page! 😉 Hope you are doing well! We need to chat soon! Hugs, friend!

  1. This is so cute! What a great use for lambs ear. I, too, love lambs ear, and this is the perfect little display of it. 🙂 Thanks for sharing at Sweet Inspiration!

  2. Oh my this is such a beauty Julie. I love anything grey-green and the lambs ear you purchased is gorgeous. It would look good anywhere any time of year. PInning!

    1. Oh, thank you so much, Andrea! I was hoping it would translate well! And you described it just the way I wanted! 😉 Hugs back, friend!

    1. Oh my goodness, Nikki! You know how to make my week!!!! LOL!!! I’m thankful for all the help from some of our experienced blogger friends! And I hope I’m making some baby steps in photography. 😉 Thanks for coming by, and for the love!

    1. Oh my…. I didn’t know that it would feel awful if you rubbed it on your skin/face! Thanks for the heads-up! 😉 Glad you liked the diy… I’m glad ya think it has a coastal feel, too! 😉 Love ya!

    1. Thanks so much, Kellie! I always think highly of your creative opinion, so you made my day! Looking forward to seeing you in December! Ahhhh! Love ya!

  3. So pretty! I would love to make one of these! It’s has a very clean, simple look and would look lovely in so many places. Thanks for sharing at Thursday Favorite Things!

    1. Thanks, Pam! I’m thankful to TFT for their willingness to share and host all of us! 😉 Have a great weekend!

  4. Topiaries are really nice for vignettes, but I never found one I liked all that much before this one. Its different and doesn’t look like the mass-produced ones you see all the time in stores. Beautiful craft project, I really love how it turned out. Pinning.

    1. Ohhhh, you made my day, because that is EXACTLY what I wanted to do… something with my own twist! Thanks for pinning, sweet friend!

    1. Aw, thanks, Michelle! Yep, I love the light in MWA… MOST of the time! 😉 Thank you for the kinds words, too! Hugs and hearts!

    1. Oh, thanks, Amber! You are so sweet to drop in so often! LOVE TFT! Going to visit more accounts now! Hugs, friend!

  5. That is one of the sweetest things I’ve ever seen!! Just unique and beautiful, simple and delightful. I think I may be making one. So cute. Pinned to my Pinterest Boards also. Best wishes for the weekend, Linda @Crafts a la mode visiting from Thursday Favorite Things Party

    1. Oh, Linda…. your encouraging words were a blessing to me this evening when I got home… thank you so much! I glad you liked the topiary, and I would love to see your finished product! Feel free to share it on my FB page in one of my posts! 😉 Have a wonderful week! Hugs and hearts!

  6. Oh, I just love Lamb’s Ear and you have just inspired me to make these! As topiary trees are also something that I love! Perfect combo!
    Thank you so much for sharing your awesome [project with us over at Wate Not Wednesday!

    1. Thank you so much for the feature, Sam! If you make these, be sure to share on my FB page! It’s always a blessing to hear that someone has been inspired, as you know! Hugs!

  7. Hi Julie! Congratulations on being featured this week as part of Share Your Style #174!!! I’d seen your sweet Lamb’s Ear Topiary before but guess I didn’t comment. I know I pinned and will pin again! Sooo cute and perfect for those of us who might be inside-garden-challenged {me!}. 😉 I use a lot of faux flowers indoors so this is perfect!

    Thanks again for sharing,
    Hugs,
    Barb 🙂

  8. I love the soft color and the fuzziness of lamb’s ear–faux and real. Your tutorial was very simple to follow. Nice job–and Yes, we love the colors, too!

  9. I love topiary’s too Julie and this one is adorable!
    I used lambs ear mixed with eucalyptus for my daughters wedding and have some left over…. how perfect, now I can make these lovely lambs ear topiarys.
    Thank you for sharing your DIY project at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I’m delighted to be featuring your lambs ear topiary at tonight’s party and pinning too.
    Hugs,
    Kerryanne

    1. Thank you so much, Kerryanne! Yes… Lamb’s Ear is a fave of mine around here. Love the silvery blue-green… looks great with coastal decor!

  10. This is so stinkin’ cute! I have some lambs ear and will definitely be doing this. I was always having trouble with my holes and things falling over or being to loose. Not anymore! I’m going back to fill my hole. 😉 pinned

    1. Thanks, Danielle… I was just thinking I want to use these for my spring decor this year! I really do like them, too!

    1. Oh, thanks, Donna! Sometimes I think I go overboard on my details, but one of my blogging mentors says that readers love that because they don’t want to make a mistake! 😉

  11. Thanks for linking up this beautiful idea at Charming Homes & Gardens! I can’t wait to try it in my Spring decor! I’m excited to feature you this week!

  12. I love the soft color of the Lamb’s Ear, it’s perfect for Winter and Spring! We are featuring this project over at the Creative Crafts Linky Party this week. Take good care!

  13. This is so cute Julie, I love projects like these! Since we have decided to end the link party, I am just going to replace it with a round-up post like KariAnne recommends. I am choosing this for one of my features this week!

    1. Oh, that’s great, Jenn! Both about the round-up AND the feature! Thank you so much, and I look forward to visiting your round-up each week!

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