How to Make a Halloween Skull Topiary

Directions

1. Flip the tomato cage over so the wide circular base faces upward, then nestle it into the planter's opening. If the hoop is too wide, cut it with heavy-duty wire cutters, overlap the ends, and tuck it inside. Ensure the three prongs point skyward, and use tape to hold the frame steady while you work. Next, drop a cardboard box into the cage's core to fill the void and provide a backstop for the skulls.
2. Experiment with skull dimensions to find the best fit for your specific cage. For the foundational layer, position two large skulls and one medium skull between each vertical bar. This layout requires six large skulls and three medium ones. Using a drill, create an opening in the temple area of every skull. String a length of floral wire through one large skull, followed by a medium one, and then another large skull.
3. Align the wired trio between two cage bars and twist the wire ends around the supports to secure them. Repeat this drilling and wiring process for the remaining sections of the bottom row.
4. You can also mount skulls directly onto the cage's rings. Drill temple holes, then use a utility knife or saw to carve a connecting slit between them. Pinch the temples together to slide the skull onto the wire ring, where the holes will keep it locked in position. After installing initial rows, pack crumpled paper or plastic packaging behind the skulls to stabilize them.
5. Once a section is complete, tie leg or arm bones vertically along the supports using zip ties or additional wire to hide the floral wiring.
6. Work upward section by section, gradually reducing skull sizes to form a pyramid silhouette. For upper rings, you may need to thread wire through the head and chin to hang them from the cage loops. Finish the display by placing a final large skull at the peak: drill three holes in its base and slide it over the top vertical supports.