DIY Table-Top Christmas Tree
Gardeners, here is a great idea for a holiday arrangement or gift idea.
Supplies needed; flat plastic arrangement dish, oasis foam, floral tape, knife, scissors/garden clippers and fresh flowers/foliage from your yard.
- Soak oasis foam thoroughly in water with holes side down until it floats evenly with water. Do not push foam into water.
- Place foam in container so that you get maximum height.
- Cut foam with a knife to roughly resemble shape of a triangle or Christmas tree. Foam was easier to cut after soaked but can be cut when dry.
- Secure foam securely to container with floral tape. Stretch tape to container and upon itself to make it stick.
- Assemble your favorite green foliage for the base of the arrangement. Any evergreen shrubs or leaves can be used. I used azalea, gardenia, camellias and found berries in my yard and woods around my house.
- Cut soft branches of foliage anywhere from 3 to 4 inches and shorter as you work your way up the arrangement.
- Starting at the bottom of the container and overlapping the container rim, cut stems at an angle and push into foam, working your way on opposite sides and turning the container and you work.
- Place foliage where it faces upward and out. As you get closer to the top, begin to place foliage to the sides and face outward. I alternated using azalea and gardenia in one arrangement and used all azalea in another. Be creative.
- Fill in any open spots with more foliage. Add berries or accent flowers.
- Cut and groom foliage to shape like a tree. I like it a little loose.
- Arrangement can be submerged in water to keep oasis moist as needed.
- Arrangement should last throughout the holiday season. Dry or dead foliage/flowers can be replaced with fresh foliage.
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submitted by Karen Blackburn
