Alstroemeria Topiary
This months idea by Denise Alexander
(Skill level - Intermediate)
Materials Needed:
  • 1 container
  • ½ brick oasis (floral foam)
  • 2 ½ yards ribbon
  • 1 bird or butterfly
  • tape - floral waterproof ¼”
    Flowers:
  • 2 stems baker fern
  • 3 stems variegated pittisporum
  • 1 bunch alstroemeria
  • 2 sunflowers
  • 3 standard carnations
  • 3 stock
  • 3 freesia
  • 6 stems micropoms
  • 4 sweet william or chrysanthemums
  • 6 pieces of filler (phlox, statice, wax flower, solidago or other tiny flowers.
Step #1: Prepare Alstroemeria
  1. Soak oasis insert in container.
  2. Secure oasis to container using tape. Tape to the ends leaving center open.
  3. Strip foliage leaves on the stem of the alstromeria up to the flowers. Be sure to arrange stems so they are as tight as possible to make the smallest hole possible in the oasis.
  4. Total height of length of alstroemeria to be approximately 26”.
  5. Hold tightly at top and bottom and insert approximately 3” into oasis.
Step #2: Add Fern
  1. Add baker fern to oasis using small pieces – be sure to cut each piece cleanly and leave at least 1” for insertion.
  2. Add pieces at random covering most of the surface area while hiding tape.
Step #3: Add Larger Flowers
  1. Insert flowers – flowers should be cut with a scissor or sharp, clean knife at an angle leaving approximately 3 ½” for insertion.
  2. Keep insertion at an angle to avoid the alstroemeria stems in the center. Insert stems as deeply as possible.
  3. Insert sunflowers front and back (centered).
  4. Insert carnations on either sides of sunflower and one in back with equal spacing between them.
  5. Add stock to the right of sunflower. Face at downward angle and add another on opposite side on the same angle. Add one more in the back, facing up.
  6. Insert freesia to front corner as higher placement and 2 more at lower angles.
Step #4: Adding Smaller Flowers
  1. Insert Sweet William as deeply as possible to top right above sunflower and on left side above stock. The third piece can be placed to the left of the sunflower towards the back. Insert fourth piece to fill any remaining holes when all flowers are placed.
  2. In remaining spaces, in clusters (if using small flowers), place micropoms throughout arrangement as evenly as possible. Some flowers can be placed in varying heights to give depth to the arrangement.
Step #5: Add Filler
  1. Insert 6-10 stems of filler (as needed) and variegated pit to fill in any remaining holes in the arrangement – use varying heights to create interest.
Step #6: Add Ribbon and Butterfly
  1. Cut length of ribbon approximately 25” and wrap tie tightly around stems.
  2. With remaining ribbon, leave approx. 7” tail and make 4 loops leaving a similar length for opposite side.
  3. Add butterfly or bird in desired location.
  4. Display and enjoy!
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