I’ve called this the summer of the olive topiary. After seasons of boxwood, fiddle leaf figs, and magnolia wreaths, olive branches feel like the fresh, understated choice for seasonal decor. Their soft green tone and graceful silhouette bring a calm, timeless touch to any room—perfect when you need a little serenity amid ongoing home projects.
Today I teamed up with Taryn from Design, Dining, and Diapers and 11 talented bloggers for a DIY Summer Decor Hop. If you arrived from Lucy at Craftberry Bush, welcome—the projects in this hop are full of creative summer styling ideas.
For this hop I made a simple, budget-friendly, designer-inspired olive topiary using readily available supplies. It’s quick to assemble, looks realistic, and works with many styles—farmhouse, modern, or Mediterranean-inspired spaces. Below are the supplies and step-by-step directions so you can make your own easy olive topiary for summer decor.
Supplies Used: (Some affiliate links are provided below for convenience.)
- 3 artificial olive branches (or substitute with lemon, cypress, or boxwood branches)
- Planter pot (an antique-style terracotta pot works well)
- Wire cutters
- Hot glue gun
- Dry floral foam
- Spanish moss
- Floral tape
You can shorten the overall height by trimming branch stems with wire cutters to suit the planter and space. If you prefer a more relaxed, scraggly look, keep stems longer and use fewer branches—two can be enough for an airy appearance, while three creates a fuller topiary.
Step 1: Trim and prepare the stems. Snip the stems to the desired height using wire cutters. Group the stems together and secure them tightly with floral tape—this keeps the branches stable and makes the topiary easier to position in the pot.
Step 2: Secure the foam inside the planter. Apply hot glue to the bottom of the planter and press two dry floral foam blocks together in the center. Stacking the foam creates a sturdy base for the stems and helps achieve the right height and balance.
Step 3: Insert the bundled stems into the foam. Push the taped stems through the center of the stacked foam blocks until they are firmly anchored. The foam keeps the stems upright and allows you to adjust the angle of each branch for a natural look.
Step 4: Conceal the foam with Spanish moss. Tuck Spanish moss into the gaps around the foam and press it down to cover exposed edges. Secure the moss with hot glue as needed until the foam is completely hidden and the surface looks natural and textured.
Finishing touches: Fluff and arrange the olive branches so the silhouette reads as a rounded ball. Use fewer branches for a looser shape, or add more for fullness. Choose a low, wide planter to create a balanced look for entryway tables, mantels, or kitchen islands.
Styling ideas: Group two different-sized topiaries for a layered look, or pair a single topiary with a stack of coffee-table books and a ceramic tray for a polished vignette. Use a metal or wooden planter for a more rustic feel, or a sleek ceramic pot for modern interiors.
Care and maintenance: Artificial olive branches are low-maintenance—dust them occasionally with a soft cloth or a gentle brush. If the leaves get flattened during handling, reshape them by hand for a natural appearance.
Making one of these took me about 10 minutes, and now I’m tempted to create several variations with different greenery. It’s an easy, affordable way to refresh your decor for summer—and it works year-round if you want to keep it out longer.
Next up on the DIY Summer Decor Hop is Kelly from Live Laugh Rowe, whose patriotic wreath is a standout project for seasonal styling. If you’d like to start the entire hop from the beginning, you can visit the host here.
