I love a backyard project that makes people stop at the fence and ask, “How on earth did you make that?” These giant decorative flowers do exactly that. By pairing bright red plastic dustpans with large yellow frisbees, you can create oversized blooms that are cheerful, durable, and surprisingly simple to assemble.
What makes this project so appealing is that it uses inexpensive, easy-to-find items in a completely unexpected way. If you enjoy bold garden décor, upcycled-style projects, or just want a whimsical focal point for a fence, shed wall, or patio, this is a very approachable afternoon build. As someone who spends plenty of time thinking about color and presentation in the kitchen, I find this project scratches the same creative itch—simple ingredients, dramatic result.
Materials
Instructions
1. Sort the dustpans and frisbees into five equal groups so each flower gets 20 red dustpans and 1 yellow frisbee center. Wipe all bonding surfaces clean with rubbing alcohol and let them dry fully.
2. Mark a work area for one flower by placing the plywood circle in the center and setting the yellow frisbee on top to check proportion. This quick dry layout helps you keep the flower balanced before any glue is opened.
3. Arrange 10 dustpans in a first ring with the scoop ends pointing outward like petals and the handles overlapping near the center. Keep the spacing even so the flower looks round rather than crowded on one side.
4. Apply a generous bead of exterior construction adhesive wherever neighboring dustpans overlap, then press them together firmly. Use short strips of painter’s tape if needed to keep the petal positions from shifting while you build the second layer.
5. Add the next 10 dustpans on top, staggering them between the first-layer petals for a fuller bloom. Glue each one where it overlaps the lower layer and the adjacent dustpans, pressing until the shape holds.
6. Set the plywood backing circle under the middle of the flower and place the yellow frisbee centered on top. Check that the frisbee covers the inner overlaps neatly and adjust before fastening.
7. Drill pilot holes through the frisbee and into the plywood backing at evenly spaced points around the center, avoiding cracks in the plastic. Fasten the frisbee with stainless steel screws and washers so the center cinches the dustpans securely in place.
8. Add a small amount of adhesive between the back of the frisbee and the dustpan overlaps for extra hold. If you want maximum weather resistance, run a thin bead of clear silicone around the edge where the frisbee meets the petals.
9. Attach a D-ring or heavy-duty hanger to the back of the plywood circle. Make sure the hanger is centered and secured firmly enough to support the finished flower outdoors.
10. Repeat the same process to build the remaining four flowers, using 20 dustpans and 1 frisbee for each. Let all five flowers cure flat for at least 24 hours, or according to the adhesive manufacturer’s instructions.
11. Mount the flowers to a fence, shed, exterior wall, or sturdy posts using hardware suitable for that surface. Space them a little unevenly rather than in a rigid line if you want a more natural, garden-like look.
Variations & Tips
Color mix: If bright red and yellow feels too bold for your space, try making each flower a single color family or alternate petal colors for a more graphic look.
Mounting tip: These are lighter than many wood projects, but they still catch wind outdoors. I recommend mounting them to a solid surface rather than hanging them loosely from hooks.
Adhesive choice: Use an exterior adhesive labeled for plastic whenever possible. Some adhesives bond beautifully to wood but poorly to slick plastic, so it is worth checking the package before you begin.
Petal shaping: If your dustpans vary slightly in curve, place the most uniform ones in the top layer. That gives the flower a cleaner outline from a distance.
Weather protection: In very hot or very cold climates, screws and washers are especially helpful because they provide mechanical hold in addition to glue. I would not rely on glue alone for a piece this large.
Display idea: These look wonderful clustered on a fence, but they also work as oversized shed décor or as a playful accent on the side of a garden workspace.
Budget adjustment: If you want to test the look before making all five, build one flower first using 20 dustpans and 1 frisbee. Once you see the scale in your yard, it is much easier to decide on spacing and placement.