This is a copy of a cool fence that we built years ago. In the rainy northwest, it provides a pleasant break from the grey skies. Quite a few strangers have knocked on my door to thank me for brightening their day with the site of the fence. A few years ago a young man actually came and asked if it would be okay to propose to his girlfriend in front of our fence, since it was such a cool spot.

Our original fence was built with posts and crosspieces like a traditional picket fence. Some folks asked if we could make the same type of flowers for them and this is what we came up with. The flower stems are attached with green tie wraps.

We touch up the paint on the flowers every year or two.

Our fence was made out of recycled wood. My neighbor was tearing down his old house to build new. The house had cedar boards as paneling on the walls and ceilings. So we went in and pulled down as many as we could. (Totally ignoring my serious cedar allergy;-)) It can also be built from pallet wood. The flowers weremade from scraps of wood that we rescued from the dump. (Don’t tell anyone, that is illegal here ;-))

Step 1: Materials and Tools

Wood

Paint

Exterior screws

Tools

Table saw or radial saw (You can skip this if you are using pallet wood and tying it to another fence)

Band saw, Scroll saw or jig saw to cut flowers

Dremel tool or wood carving knife

router

Paint brush

Step 2: Stems

You can use pallet boards without cutting them. Or you can cut the stems from whatever wood you have. The width can be anywhere from 2-4”. Choose the height that you would like for your flowers. Mine range from 4- 5 1/2’ tall.

If you would like to plant your fence directly into the ground cut a point on the end of the stem and leave them stem a foot or so longer than the final height you would like for your fence.

Paint them green, unless you would like some other color stems.

Step 3: Cut Flowers

Trace a flower design on the wood.

If you are making a complete fence, it helps to cut out a template for the flower out of hardboard. You can paint the template and drill a small hole in it to decorate your shop space.

Cut out the flower. I cut into tight corners with my band saw to avoid binding the saw blades on the flowers curves (see pics).

After you cut out the flower shape, round over the front edge of the flower with your router.

The next step is to carve out the flower details with the dremel rotary tool. The flower here has very basic details, you can carve them more intricately if you want.

Step 4: Paint Flowers

I paint the centers of the flowers first. Then I cover the center with a jar or bottle cap and paint the petals. You can add highlights and details to the petals if you like. I don’t bother with primer and I haven’t had any problems with them.

We retouch the flowers when they start to look drab, about every year or two.

Step 5: Leaves

Cut and paint leaves using the same techniques you used on the flowers.

Step 6: Attatch Flowers and Leaves to Stem

Find exterior screws that are just a bit shorter than the thickness of your flower and stem stacked together.

Pre-drill the holes for the screws. Screw the flower to the stem through the back of the stem. Use two screws in the flowers for strength and to avoid spinning the flowers.

Use the same method to attach the leaves.

If you are sticking the flower stems directly into the ground, attach the flower after pounding the stem into the ground.