How to Create a Beautiful Apple Topiary

If you’re decorating for the holidays and you want to include a classic look, all you have to do is go to the grocery store or the farmer’s market and pick up some apples. Apples are one of the most symbolic fruits and they’ve been used for thousands of years in festive decorating.

I’m creating a simple, conical apple topiary. For centerpiece, I’m using three types of apples and just a few other materials. I’m starting with the large conical piece of Styrofoam. You can pick this up at any hobby store. I’m simply covering it with the small flat lady apples. Now this is an antique variety that’s considered to be ancient. I liked their size and they last for a long time.

I’m applying them to the form with these little floral picks and I’ve used some vegetable oil to give them a nice shine. In between the lady apples, I’m attaching clusters of crab apples from my garden with standard floral greening pins. And to further fill on the spaces, I’m using some small leaf greenery. With the cone covered, I’ll just place it in the center of the tray or you could use a large platter. And I’ve elevated the apple tree about 3 to 4inches with the clay saucer.

To finish up, I’m adding some mix greenery to the base along with the few more of these shiny, red, delicious apples. This will last up to two weeks particularly if you can keep in a cool room. And I’ve learned over the years that it always pays to pick up a few extra apples to keep in the refrigerator for replacements. From the garden, I'm Allen Smith.

Now if you’d like more information on this topic or other information, just check out my website pallensmith.com.