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Pumpkins are the quintessential fall decor, and there are SO many ways to use them in your decorating. Earlier, I showed you how to make velvet pumpkins for indoors, so today I’ll share a fun and easy outdoor craft – pumpkin topiaries. Put them in planters, hanging baskets, window boxes, or use them as path markers – they’re so versatile!
Pumpkin Topiary Supplies
Here are the supplies you’ll need to make your topiaries:
- Foam pumpkins (graduated sizes)
- Wooden dowel, or garden stake(choose the length based on how many pumpkins you plan to stack)
- Drill with large drill bit
- “Filler” for between your pumpkins(optional) – grapevine, leaves, fall picks, small wreaths, etc)
- Glue(optional)
- Paint(optional)
- Sequins, jewels, etc(optional)
Step 1
The first thing you will need to do is remove all the stems from your pumpkins. Do this for all of them except the top pumpkin. If you plan to paint or decorate your pumpkins, now is the time to do that. Make sure they are completely dry before proceeding to the next step.
Step 2
Take your drill and make a hole straight through the top of the pumpkin. Use the hole where the stem was as your guide. Make sure you don’t make a hole that is bigger than the dowel you will be using to stack your pumpkins.
Step 3
Slide your largest pumpkin onto the dowel and push it down near the bottom. Make sure you leave enough exposed dowel at the bottom to stick into your planter. This is your base pumpkin. If the pumpkin slides, you can glue it to the dowel at the bottom.
Continue to stack all your pumpkins until you’ve made your topiary as tall as you want. End with the smallest pumpkin on top(the one that still has its stem). You now have a basic pumpkin topiary!
Step 4
If you have gaps between your pumpkins, you can fill them with lots of different things. Consider gluing corn husks, leaves, or other greenery between the layers. Wire floral picks can be bent and tucked between the pumpkins, or, even easier, buy small wreaths and add them. Grapevine can be wound around and between the pumpkins for a natural look. I actually cut up a garland and threaded that between my pumpkins. I didn’t want lots of color, so I kept it monochromatic but used the garland for added texture.
And that’s it!
Now all you need to do is stick the topiary into your planter. So cute!
Enjoy Your Pumpkin Topiaries
Pumpkin topiaries are such a fun and simple craft that will instantly elevate your fall decor. Whether you paint, bedazzle, or decoupage your pumpkins, there are so many ways to customize them to create a look that’s just right for your decor. Whatever you decide to do, these topiaries add loads of charm…and isn’t that what makes a home feel special? Happy Creating!
