Monday, December 15, 2003

Visions of sugar plums, candy canes, gum drops, licorice sticks and assorted other sweets dance across one of the prettiest holiday ideas this season. Tim Condron Florist in Shadyside has introduced colorful candy topiaries, and they've discovered a major sweet tooth.

	This giant candy topiary is about 5 feet tall. It's $600, but smaller versions are less expensive. (John Beale, Post-Gazette) Click photo for larger image.

The topiaries have been selling as fast as snowflakes have been falling, in part because they appeal to the child in all of us. Each is unique, and they vary in size from about 24 inches (from $125) to a special topiary on display that's more than five feet tall ($600).

Before the holidays, the store accepted custom orders from clients who wanted topiaries to match their decor, and it will again after Christmas. Delicious as the topiaries look, they are painted and lacquered so they will last year after year if properly packed away. They also come with a Hanukkah motif, and Condron says half the fun was finding blue candy. The other half may be eating it, an occupational hazard for a staff up to its ears in penny candy!

The topiaries were first created by Condron's assistant, Bill Chisnell, for a children's birthday party centerpiece. "Everybody went crazy," says Condron. "They were such a big hit we decided to make them for the holidays." They've had topiary orders for baby showers and weddings, too, and many purchased as gifts because odds are good it's the one thing nobody already has!

Tim Condron Florist, 5505 Centre Ave. near Negley Ave., 412-687-9027

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