Soak both your cone-shaped foam and block of floral foam in water for about 20 minutes.

Cut the floral foam block to fit snugly inside your vase.

Insert two bamboo skewers into the base of the cone and secure it to the foam inside the vase. This gives the topiary structure and keeps it steady.

Trim about 1 to 2 inches from the tip of the cone to soften the shape.

Cut the carnation stems to about three-quarters of an inch. Insert them directly into the cone, starting at the bottom and working your way up.

Use long floral pins to secure each bloom from the base, especially if the stems feel loose.

Fill the entire surface of the cone, mixing red and burgundy carnations for depth.

To finish, place a bamboo skewer at the top and attach a ribbon bow using floral wire or hot glue.

Mist the topiary daily and store in a cool place to keep flowers fresh.