How to make an outdoor arrangement

Make an Outdoor Arrangement

9
STEPS
TOOLS

Gather your supplies. Everything I used for this project was from the dollar store.

Gather your supplies. Everything I used for this project was from the dollar store.

6 spikes for each planter. A main tall feature, a bunch of twisted wooden spikes, a large leafed fern, two types of cat-tails, and a slim grass filler. Varied textures and sizes make it interesting.

6 spikes for each planter. A main tall feature, a bunch of twisted wooden spikes, a large leafed fern, two types of cat-tails, and a slim grass filler. Varied textures and sizes make it interesting.

You can start adding your pieces right away, prepping them as you go, or you can prep everything at once then assemble. The type of spikes you buy will dictate what type of prep needs to be done.

I wasn't sure of my plan so I started by adding the main, taller feature to the foam. Note the stems are fragile so I poked the foam first with scissors before poking in the stems.

I wasn't sure of my plan so I started by adding the main, taller feature to the foam. Note the stems are fragile so I poked the foam first with scissors before poking in the stems.

Next add the larger greenery. Cut them from the main spike.

Next add the larger greenery. Cut them from the main spike.

Add a stem using the dowel and florist tape. The tape works best when stretched lightly as you wrap. Remember to spin/twist your work, not the tape. Go over the joint until it is secure.

Add a stem using the dowel and florist tape. The tape works best when stretched lightly as you wrap. Remember to spin/twist your work, not the tape. Go over the joint until it is secure.

Wrap the entire dowel so no wood shows.

Wrap the entire dowel so no wood shows.

Using a dowel, pre-poke holes where you want to place the leaves. Then push in the stems.

Using a dowel, pre-poke holes where you want to place the leaves. Then push in the stems.

Check the height of the twisted wooden filler and trim to the height you want. I took off a few inches so the were shorter than the tall feature pieces.

Check the height of the twisted wooden filler and trim to the height you want. I took off a few inches so the were shorter than the tall feature pieces.

Add the twisted wooden filler. Space them around evenly. Each package had 21 single pieces.

Add the twisted wooden filler. Space them around evenly. Each package had 21 single pieces.

Cut each cat-tail piece from the main stem. Not that each stem has a stem with the flower and a grass piece that slides over the stem.

Cut each cat-tail piece from the main stem. Not that each stem has a stem with the flower and a grass piece that slides over the stem.

Wrap the tape around the grass piece to secure it to the stem. I secured the grass half way down the stem.

Wrap the tape around the grass piece to secure it to the stem. I secured the grass half way down the stem.

I left he bottom of the stems bare.

I left he bottom of the stems bare.

Poke the into the block. Note that I am keeping everything close to the centre. If you spread out the pieces too much the piece will lose its impact.

Poke the into the block. Note that I am keeping everything close to the centre. If you spread out the pieces too much the piece will lose its impact.

Prep the other cat-tails. I pushed the grass piece right to the top and taped it in place.

Prep the other cat-tails. I pushed the grass piece right to the top and taped it in place.

Wrap the tape down the stem. When at the bottom, add a dowel to increase the length of the piece. Secure with tape and wrap all the way down the dowel.

Wrap the tape down the stem. When at the bottom, add a dowel to increase the length of the piece. Secure with tape and wrap all the way down the dowel.

A prepped piece compared to one that is not yet done.

A prepped piece compared to one that is not yet done.

Work carefully to place the stems evenly in the arrangement. Look for space between all the other stems then poke them into the foam.

Work carefully to place the stems evenly in the arrangement. Look for space between all the other stems then poke them into the foam.

Prep the grass. The ones I have are also two pieces so the sliding piece had to be secured with tape to the stem.

Prep the grass. The ones I have are also two pieces so the sliding piece had to be secured with tape to the stem.

Poke the grass into the foam, but this time place the grass outside around the whole piece.

Poke the grass into the foam, but this time place the grass outside around the whole piece.

Dig a hole in your planter, then "plant" the foam. Push it in firmly, the cover with soil.

Dig a hole in your planter, then "plant" the foam. Push it in firmly, the cover with soil.

The "planted" piece.

The "planted" piece.

Put the Spanish moss on top of the soil. At this point it just looks like a lump.

Put the Spanish moss on top of the soil. At this point it just looks like a lump.

Pull it apart so it surrounds the arrangement.

Pull it apart so it surrounds the arrangement.

Keep playing with it. Don't worry if it doesn't reach every corner, or if there are gaps. We're not done, yet.

Keep playing with it. Don't worry if it doesn't reach every corner, or if there are gaps. We're not done, yet.

Cut your tulle into 8 equal lengths of about a 10 to 12 inches each. Fold it in half, pinch to make a bunch at the loop.

Cut your tulle into 8 equal lengths of about a 10 to 12 inches each. Fold it in half, pinch to make a bunch at the loop.

Wrap wire around the tulle then twist the wire.

Wrap wire around the tulle then twist the wire.

Make 8 bunches, then poke each  into the planter around the base of the arrangement. Thick wire will poke into the soil. Thin wire will still secure the bow in the moss.

Make 8 bunches, then poke each into the planter around the base of the arrangement. Thick wire will poke into the soil. Thin wire will still secure the bow in the moss.

  • Empty Planter
  • Florist foam block
  • Florist tape
  • Florist wire
  • Tall unique flower spikes
  • Green foliage (ferns and grasses)
  • Cat-tail spikes
  • Sparkle tulle
  • Scissors
  • Wire cutters
  • Spanish moss