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Yuletide Topiary

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Using carnations to evoke a snow-covered tree, this centerpiece transforms the tabletop into a fanciful winter garden. Moistened floral foam supplies hidden support for fluffy white blossoms, their stems cut short so they form an uninterrupted mass of petals.

Martha Stewart Living, December 2000 http://www.marthastewart.com/270758/yuletide-topiary

The white porcelain-urn "planter" and a scattering of miniature gold and green Christmas balls complete the picture. Just like the big evergreen in your living room, this mini Tannenbaum will stay fresh long enough to greet the New Year.

It is simplest to carve the entire tree form out of a single block of floral foam, commonly 4 by 9 inches. If you cannot find a large enough block, glue a smaller block and cylinder together with floral adhesive. Because our tree is 13 1/2 inches tall, including a 4 1/2-inch "trunk," we added a second block at the base.

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