Easy Pumpkin Topiary from a Williamsburg Apple Cone

If you’re in need of a quick centerpiece for fall, here’s a full-proof method of creating an easy pumpkin topiary using a Williamsburg Apple Cone form.

Apple cones are basically conical blocks of wood on a circular base with nails arranged around the circumference at regular intervals. They used to be available from the Williamsburg Marketplace, but the vintage wood versions have now been replaced with iron armatures. If you’re looking for a vintage, wooden one, they are typically available on ebay. Search for ‘Williamsburg Apple Cone’.

To create my pumpkin topiary, I started out with a form and two packages of glitter-covered styrofoam pumpkins from Hobby Lobby.

To begin, start at the bottom of the form and simply push the pumpkins into the nail. Make sure the stem side is facing toward the outside. Complete a row and then start the next row with the first pumpkin slightly offset from the row below it.

The pumpkin package that I used had two sizes and I used them both. Try to arrange them so there is as little space as possible between the pumpkins. At first, it’s not going to look that great, but trust me, it gets better.

The next step is to add filler between the spaces. I used some green reindeer moss.

Gently tuck it into all of the open spaces. Now, you’re ready to top the topiary with whatever you wish. Traditional Williamsburg Apple Topiaries are topped with a pineapple. I chose to top mine with a matching glitter pumpkin from Michaels because that’s what I had on hand.

The best part about this topiary is its versatility. For double-duty, simply replace the orange pumpkin for a purple one and add a purple spider for an instant Halloween centerpiece.

I have some real mini-pumpkins that I’m planning to experiment with in hopes of creating a nice, “live” Thanksgiving centerpiece. I’ll let you know how it turns out.