Dum Dum Candy Sucker Topiary Tree with Supplies

I was searching online for something to do with suckers or lollipops and I came across a photo of a topiary tree or large flower made out of lots of individual dum dum suckers. I'm not very crafty - the only other craft I've really tried is a money Christmas tree. Here is my supply list so you know what supplies you'll need if you want to try to make it (I had to run back out to get extra suckers), and a few photos to show the steps I took along the way. No biggie!

The final product, this dum-dum lollipop topiary tree stands 22 inches tall. It's rather top heavy because it has almost 3 pounds of suckers on top.

You can use whatever you want, it will probably turn out just fine, but here's what I used if you're curious:

• Clay flower pot (4 1/2 inch diameter)
• Green foam block (the kind used for fake flower arrangements)
• Green Easter grass
• Wooden rod (1/2 inch diameter) 16 inches long (or however tall you want it)
• Double sided ribbon
• Green foam sphere (Hobby Lobby flower arranging section)
• 3 lbs of Dum-Dums (3x 1 lb bags = approximately 70 per bag or around 210 suckers)
• Hot glue gun (to hold the wooden rod tight, not to glue the suckers in)

Quick suggestion, get way more suckers than you think you'll need! The surface area of the sphere is deceptive, and I had to run out to buy more suckers. Get a huge bag just in case. 

Okay here is what I did...

I cut the sides off the green foam block and shoved it down into the flower pot, then I cut a little more out so it didn't stick over the top.

Gathered up more of my supplies, including the foam ball, suckers, Easter grass, and nice double sided ribbon

I started sticking the suckers in very close together, then realized the ball got top heavy, so I set it on top of the pot and kept sticking more in. If you go very close together, you better buy extra suckers. I have a little space between mine because it's fine either way, it still has the overall look.

I anchored the ribbon to the wood with glue, then wrapped the rod and glued it down to keep it tight. I tied a bow around the rod and used a dab of glue to hold it down. I stuck a letter opener into the foam ball and twisted it to make a hole, then jammed the rod into it with some hot glue on the end.

I jammed the rod into the foam block in the pot then glued it to hold it in place. This thing is very top heavy, so I'm a little worried about the base coming loose. I used a very tiny amount of Easter grass just to cover the foam block. The hardest part was keeping it straight up and down while the glue dried. Remember it doesn't have to be perfect!

Any questions? Like I said, I'm not a huge craft guy, but you can leave a comment and I'll answer. I've got to drive this in to work for a work party, and I'm going to bring a bunch of extra suckers in case these fall out. The suckers aren't actually glued in they're just stuck in place. 

Pinus 'Louie' and SuperTrouper Magenta + White Dianthus

I always try to take photos of cool plants in the stores even if I don't have approval from the purchasing department (aka my family). Here are a couple nice ones I saw recently. Something has to be pretty cool for me to stop and say 'ooh, I'm gonna post about that' so this is just some favorites.

SuperTrouper Magenta + White Dianthus caught my eye with the large ruffled flowers with striking white borders. I became a fan of dianthus after my 'lavender lace' bloomed for 3 months straight last summer.

SuperTrouper Magenta + White Dianthus

Next, I've been eyeing white pines on car trips - enjoying the north woods vibe without the obtrusive pyramid shape of a spruce. I like them tall and skinny with wispy soft needles. Here is a pine that caught my eye at Allisonville Nursery the other day, Pinus strobus 'Louie'.

Pinus strobus 'Louie' - Louie's Eastern White Pine

Purple Dome Aster Divisions and Moving Plants Around

Here's an overview of all the moves I made today. I moved a lot more than I had planned, but hopefully we get some rain and everyone settles in. 

Spent a few hours today moving things around in the back yard and mulching the side yard. Some of the more significant moves to mention, I moved a dianthus over to the edge by the patio to give some year round structure. I like my salvia, but I don't like how they die to the ground and basically disappear. After the move, I'm liking how the right side of the bed looks almost complete.

I moved my sale table Blue Marvel salvia over to the middle. The middle of the bed is like my holding zone, not sure what I want to do with it just yet.

This was also my first time doing divisions of my Purple Dome aster. This all-star plant has been killing it the past 2 seasons, and I learned that you can cut them up and divide them like a hosta. Let's see if my little sprouts turn into whole new plants (for free). I remember when I got them in the mail I was surprised how small it was, and it turned into a purple dome in the first season.

Purple Dome aster division (super tiny sprouts)

Added some purple dome aster divisions to the front utility box bed too because I'm not sure if the Gaura are coming back. 

I did some 'cosmetic mulching' in other parts of the yard - you know, when you just dust some mulch over the top so it looks like you mulched and the colors match.