Simple Lavender Topiary and Summer Celebration Blog Hop
Today, we’re excited to share how to make a simple lavender topiary as we join some of our favorite bloggers for the Summer Celebration Blog Hop! As always a big shout out and thank you to Amber of Follow the Yellow Brick Home for putting this blog hop together.
If you’re coming over from Paula’s blog, Sweet Pea with Paula Skulina, welcome, we’re glad you’re here. Paula always has a beautiful way of mixing heirloom pieces of furniture in a fresh way and we love her summer centerpiece too!
It always feels kind of tricky trying to decide how to decorate in August, doesn’t it? On one hand It’s not quite time to break out the pumpkins just yet. After all, it’s still crazy hot outside and won’t feel like fall for a couple of months.
On the other hand, the reds, whites and blues from our summer front porch have all been packed away. Not to mention, as soon as the temperatures drop just a bit, we’ll be replanting all the flowers that have been growing on the porch this summer into the flower beds.
Which brings me back to decorating in August.
Our Inspiration
One of our favorite flowers is lavender and we know so many of you love it too. Honestly, if it were up to me, we’d have rows and rows of lavender growing all around our property.
Lavender’s peak blooming season is typically from June to August in the US.
No playing, I’ve waited all summer for the gorgeous lavender topiaries I kept seeing all over social media to come to our area of Florida. But you guys, I never saw a single one! I think maybe it was just too hot.
So, I decided to stop waiting and make my own with basic craft supplies you can find at almost any big box store.
Here’s a look at how you can make your own simple lavender topiary too…
Simple Lavender Topiary Supplies:
- Foam Craft Ball
- Medium to Large Foam Craft Disc
- Faux Lavender (we found ours at Hobby Lobby on sale)
- Faux Mint (optional, we used mint we found on sale at Hobby Lobby as a filler)
- Moss (optional, we found ours at Hobby Lobby)
- Wooden Dowel or Stick
- Dirt, Foam Peanuts or Plastic Bags (to use as a filler around the base of the topiary)
- Wire Cutters
- Flowerpot, Container or Galvanized Metal Bucket
- Tarp or Cutting Board (to protect your work surface)
Simple Lavender Topiary Steps:
Gather your supplies and be sure to place a cutting board or tarp over your work surface as this project can be a bit messy.
For the sake of full disclosure, we cut a 3.8 foam craft ball in half to make our topiary because that is what we already had on hand. If you decide to take this approach as well, use caution, care and common sense as knives are sharp.
We’ve found a 1.5-2.5 size craft foam ball works well for projects like these depending on the size of the topiary you’re trying to make. This size also seems to work well, scale wise, with most flowerpots and garden style containers like we used to create our simple herb topiary too.
Pierce the foam craft ball with wooden dowel or stick. We found this one in our yard, sprayed it with a mix of bleach and water and allowed it to dry completely before bringing it inside the house.
Again, using caution and care as wire cutters will be sharp, carefully cut each floral stem with wire cutters.
Once you have the lavender stems cut, begin placing them one at a time into the foam craft ball. Keep in mind, the stems will be sharp because they have been cut. Remember to use caution and care when doing this step as well.
If you find you need some filler in your lavender topiary, you can always use moss or larger leaf herbs like rosemary or mint like we did here.
Continue to place the stems into the foam craft ball until you have the craft foam ball completely covered.
After you have the top of your lavender topiary complete, place the base of the wooden dowel rod or stick into a medium to large craft foam disk.
Choosing the Right Lavender Topiary Container
In order to keep your lavender topiary from shifting around or falling over you’ll need to secure it with dirt, foam peanuts or plastic bags to use as a filler around the base. We keep a set of old plastic grocery bags for craft projects just like these because it makes it easier to move topiaries around the house.
Once the topiary is secure in your container cover the dirt, foam peanuts or plastic bags with moss.
Super easy, right?
We found this concrete bucket at Renningers last year and as soon as I saw it, I knew a lavender topiary would be perfect in it.
All in all, it took us about 5 bunches of faux lavender and 3 bunches of mint to cover half of a 3.8-inch craft foam ball.
You can always use smaller craft foam balls though, honestly, it all just depends on the size and scale of your container.
This simple lavender topiary was super easy to make, you guys and it’s something you can use in different spots all over the house too. After all, decluttering and adding pops of greenery are both inexpensive ways to freshen up any space in your home no matter the season.
Up next on the Summer Celebration Blog Hop is Shelley of Calypso in the Country . You’ll love her festive summer style and patio area! As always, be sure to check out what the rest of these fabulous and creative ladies are sharing as well. Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Many blessings,
CoCo
I can almost smell the Lavender through my computer monitor! I love Lavender and it is perfect for using for decor in summer. Your topiary is so pretty and can be used in so many spaces in your home for decor. I’ve got to head to Hobby Lobby to get some faux Lavender to use in my home!
Thank you Paula! We’re always picking up lavender every chance we get because it has such a clean scent. One day, I’m hoping to have rows and rows of it all over our property 🙂 I’m always amazed at the flowers at both Michaels and Hobby Lobby. Some of them look and feel so real! Hugs, CoCo
Excellent job on making your lavender topiary! Thanks for sharing!
I really appreciate it, Connie, thank you so much! Hope your day is a fantastic one, CoCo
Your lavender topiary is gorgeous – and what a great tutorial! For some reason, our lavender didn’t do well this year. I think the ridiculous amount of rain we received this spring had something to do with it. I pinned your post so maybe next year I will have some lavender to work with! Great hopping with you!
Shelley
I really appreciate your sweet words, Shelley, thank you so much! We’re always trying different kinds of lavender because it seems like our island soil is constantly changing. It’s super sandy too. Thankfully, Hobby Lobby is always available to help me out in a pinch 🙂 Can’t wait to see your new pool and patio area. I’m so excited for you! Hugs, CoCo
Coco, No lavender topiaries in my neck of the woods either, so I love your pretty project! So lovely! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
I see the lavender topiaries all over social media and they are just gorgeous Cecilia! Most people are saying they got them at Costco or Walmart but I think the truck got lost on its way to Florida 🙂 Thanks so much for your sweet words, CoCo
Love all the pretty lavender in your home and that topiary is stunning. Great tutorial too, thanks.
I appreciate you, Marty, thanks so much. I’m so excited about your new home projects and all the travel you’ve enjoyed this summer. It looks like you’ve been having a blast. Hugs, CoCo
Your lavender topiary is brilliant! I have made ivy ones, but this is great, the blooms are perfect for summertime. Your bucket was such a find! You can’t bet a trip to Renningers! Enjoy the rest of summertime!!
Thank you bunches, Chloe! We love Renninger’s, they have lots of fun goodies, especially during the extravaganzas. I never thought about doing an ivy topiary. I bet that is really pretty. Hope you’re having a great summer. We’re headed to the Southern Living Idea House later this week so I’ll be thinking of you. Big hugs and happy summer, CoCo
I’m totally the same way – If I could have lavender growing all around the property, I would. I love it. And your topiary is perfect! Pinned! Enjoy the rest of summer in your oh-so-beautiful home. 🙂
You’re so sweet, Cindy! If you ever learn the secret to growing lavender in a hot and humid climate with crazy sandy soil – let me know! We’re always trying out different things to get lavender to grow out here. I know you have just a few more weeks until your an empty nester again so soak in every second you can! Hugs and happy summer, CoCo
I never thought of making a lavender topiary but I love this idea! This just may be something I can do too. Love the vignette you created. Pinning for inspiration. Love it Coco. Hugs!
Thank you bunches Michelle! It’s so crazy hot in Florida right now there’s not a whole lot happening in the garden or blooming in the yard so thankfully easy projects like these bridge the gap. I promise it’s super easy, you can totally do this too. Sending you hugs for a happy week, CoCo
Oh all the lavender…be still my heart! We have clay soil so I can only grow lavender in pots, or else I would surround our home with lots and lots of it!
Your topiary turned out fantastic and everything looks lovely in your home for late summer. I love that old bucket too!
Great tutorial and styling! Thank you so much for celebrating summer with us!
I appreciate it, Amber! Thank you so much for pulling all of this together. This entire group is always so creative and supportive of each other. It’s fun to see what you guys make each blog hop. I’m crazy over your garden inspired post today. The pops of yellow from the sunflowers are really pretty and I love those little roosters too. You always have a way of making me want to cozy up in your house and have a cup of tea. It’s all so beautiful. Hugs, CoCo
CoCo I am loving how easy you made the lavender topiary. I am pinning this to make one for my home. Great share. Thank you!
Oh my gosh, Terrie, these are so crazy easy! You could totally do this. We’ve also created a faux dill topiary and I think a mint topiary would be pretty too. They really are super versatile. Hugs, CoCo
So pretty I love these topiaries.
Have a great day,
Kippi
I really appreciate it, Kippi, thank you so much! I you have a great day as well, CoCo
What a fun project!
I want to make one now.
Thank you Carol! With all those gorgeous flowers you have in your garden you could make all kinds of topiaries 🙂 Hugs, CoCo
Really cute, Coco! Love the bucket; I would have scooped that up too. I love lavender, but have never had good luck with it here in MN; it always dies on me. Guess I need to stick with the fake stuff to get the look. Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Thank you Lora! The vendor gave us a discount on the bucket because it was covered in concrete. I was like that’s the best part of the bucket he he! We’re constantly trying different kinds of lavender out here too because our soil is super sandy, we have hurricane season and you just never know what the coastal winds are going to bring during the rest of the year. I’m with totally with you on buying the fake stuff for easy projects like this one until we can find out the secrete to growing lavender 🙂 Hugs, CoCo
I do love me some lavender, CoCo! I’ve been on a lavender kick lately, too. I can’t get enough of it, but I don’t think it grows well here in Houston either. I’m glad you gave us a DIY topiary option! It looks wonderful, and I love your styling all around, too. The lavender pillows and buffalo plaid look great together. Pinning!
Thanks so much Chrissy! I keep thinking I’ll finally discover the secret to growing lavender. We’re still trying lots of different varieties. I think it’s because the weather is just so inconsistent here. They either wind up really wet from all the rain or fried from the sun. I’m glad we have an alternative too! Hope your summer has been a happy one. Hugs, CoCo
Your topiary is just lovely, CoCo! I thought it was going to require real lavender, and although mine is blooming, I have just a few plants thus far! Great alternative and I love the little details to display it.
I’m off to visit some of the other bloggers. 🙂
Jane
I wish it was a real lavender topiary Jane! I’ve been looking for them everywhere. Thankfully, this easy DIY alternative is helping to bridge the gap. If you ever learn the secret to growing lavender let us know! We love it but our soil is so sandy, it’s hard to grow here. Hugs and hope you’re having a happy summer, CoCo
You have such a beautiful home, and your topiary turned out so pretty! Thanks for the great instructions. Enjoy these last weeks of summer!
Thanks so much, Shannon! I really appreciate your sweet words. We hope you enjoy the rest of your summer as well. It’s going by so fast! Hugs, CoCo
Hey Coco! I love your lavender topiary! It looks like something you paid big bucks for at Hobby Lobby. I love how you styled it along with the books and the dragonfly art – nothing says summer like dragonflies! So happy to be hopping with you!
You’re so sweet, Michelle, thank you! It’s been crazy hot in Florida this summer and a lot of our plants are nearly fried save for the ones under the porch. We’ll take any extra help we can get from Hobby Lobby ha ha. They always have a good selection! Hope your summer has been a fun one. You’re always so creative. I just love your style. Hugs, CoCo
Wow, Coco… what an awesome job you did on this topiary… and I love your lavender summer home! I’m hoping to do lavender on year, too! Maybe this coming spring! 😉
Thank you so much Julie! These topiaries are super easy to make. We love lavender because it always feels light and clean but you could use this same technique with pretty much anything. I’m hoping to make some mint ones soon too. Hugs, CoCo