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Dried ornamental corn and corn husks can become quick cabinet accents, table settings, wreaths, garlands, and outdoor container displays. Choose small ears for compact projects and larger ears when you want a fuller focal point, then match the attachment method to the weight of the corn.
Safety first: Keep dried corn, husks, and every other dried plant material well away from heat sources and open flames. University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Martha A. Smith warns that dried material “burns very easily.”
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Materials and preparation
Ornamental corn varies widely in ear size, color, and appearance. You can buy it at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, craft shows, and garden centers. Small ears are especially practical for compact arrangements.
- For homegrown ears: Leave corn on the stalk until the husks are no longer green. Cure the ears in a warm, dry place for about a week before decorating.
- For husk projects: Dried corn husks sold for tamales work well. Soak them in water until pliable, shape or trim them, and let them dry fully before display.
- Useful supplies: Twine, ribbon, a clear vessel, a small terra-cotta pot, fall flowers, twig or straw wreath forms, floral wire, scissors, leaves, beads, sturdy string, and hot glue. Use wire as the primary support for heavy ears on a wreath; adhesive can reinforce the attachment.
Inspect stored pieces before use. Dried materials kept for many years can become brittle and may shatter, so replace anything that crumbles or has weakened attachments.
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- PART OF A BACKYARD WILDLIFE OASIS. Experience the joy of nature up-close with a simple treat that attracts these important members of the wild.
- WHOLE COBS OF CORN to be enjoyed by your backyard wildlife. Simple with no added ingredients.
- ATTRACTS SQUIRRELS, CHIPMUNKS, RABBITS, deer and other backyard wildlife.
- A DISTRACTION FROM BIRD FEEDERS to help prevent critters from eating your wild bird food.
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Ten projects, from quick accents to larger displays
| Project | Scale | Main material | Attachment or assembly | Display |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinet color | Small | Whole ears | Tie with twine | Cabinet or shelf |
| Corn container garden | Small to medium | Ears with husks | Glue around pot | Table or porch |
| Dyed husks | Small | Husks | Dip, dry, gather | Table |
| Corn and leaf wreath | Medium to large | Ears, husks, leaves | Wire and adhesive | Wall or door |
| Corn place setting | Small | One ear | Wrap and ribbon | Dining table |
| Sunburst wreath | Large | Husks and ears | Glue to straw form | Wall or door |
| Container corn | Medium | Whole ears | Top and arrange | Outdoor pot |
| Corn-husk wreath and pumpkins | Medium to large | Husks | Soak, trim, shape | Wreath or centerpiece |
| Fall garland | Large | Ears and husks | String and loop | Mantel or railing |
| Beads and corn | Medium | Ears, husks, ribbon, beads | Wrap and hang | Branch or wall |
1. Add cabinet color with ears and twine
For the fastest accent, select a few dried ears and tie them together with a twine bow. Attach the bundle to a cabinet knob, handle, or nearby hook. This uses the corn’s natural color without taking up counter space, and it is easy to remove when the season ends.
2. Make a corn container garden
Use a small terra-cotta pot as a base. Glue ornamental ears, keeping their husks attached, around the outside of the pot; overlap them slightly for coverage. Fill the opening with fall flowers. Choose shorter ears if the pot will sit on a narrow table or shelf.
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- Great for Bowl Fillers and crafts!
- Real Natural Indian Corn Cobs
- 6-10 inches each, assorted Colors.
- 12 cobs included
- Storage Instructions: Store In Room Temperature
3. Display dyed corn husks in a clear vessel
Dip clean husks in fabric dye, following the dye product’s directions, and allow them to dry completely. Gather the colored husks loosely in a clear vase or other transparent vessel so their varied shapes remain visible. This is a husk-focused display rather than a whole-ear arrangement, making it useful when you want color without much bulk.
4. Build a corn-and-leaf wreath
Start with a twig wreath form and arrange ears and husks around it. Secure heavier ears with floral wire threaded around the ear and frame, then add adhesive as secondary support. Tuck in dried or artificial leaves to fill gaps and soften the outline. Test the balance before hanging so the wreath does not pull to one side.
Rank #3
- NUTRIENT-PACKED SNACK: Ear Corn is a wholesome, all-natural snack for wildlife containing carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals for energy and growth.
- MESS-FREE FEEDING: With no husks to remove, Ear Corn kernels are easily grabbed and carried by squirrels and other animals without making a mess.
- CONVENIENT PACKAGING: Ear Corn comes in a box that is easily stored untill the next use
- LOCALLY SOURCED The corn is carefully selected from our own family farm, ensuring high quality and freshness for your backyard visitors.
- WILDLIFE-FRIENDLY With no added salts, sugars or artificial Ingredients, Ear Corn provides wildlife with a nutritious, wholesome treat they'll enjoy again and again.
5. Turn one ear into a place setting
Wrap a dried ear in a cloth napkin and secure the bundle with braided ribbon. Lay it at each place or use one at the head of the table for a simpler arrangement. Keep the napkin wrap loose enough that guests can remove it without breaking the ear or husk.
6. Create a sunburst wreath
Fold husks outward from each ear so they flare like rays. Glue the ears around a straw wreath form, spacing them evenly to create a circular burst. Work in sections and let adhesive set before moving the wreath; the outward-pointing husks are the visual feature, so avoid crushing them while handling the form.
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- PREMIUM QUALITY: Georgia grown dried corn on the cob, harvested from this year's crop, perfect for wildlife feeding and natural nourishment
- GENEROUS QUANTITY: Package contains 11 pounds of whole dried corn cobs, providing substantial feeding portions for extended use
- STORAGE & HANDLING: Store in a cool, dry place to maintain freshness and natural quality of the corn cobs
- IDEAL FOR WILDLIFE: Specifically designed for squirrels and other wildlife, suitable for outdoor feeding stations and natural habitats
- PRODUCT DIMENSIONS: Comes in a box measuring 20 inches long x 12 inches wide x 6 inches high for convenient storage and handling
7. Top outdoor pots with corn and solar lights
Arrange dried ears across the soil or surface of outdoor containers, then add solar path lights among them. The lights provide illumination without placing a flame near the dried material. Use ears that fit securely and check the display after wind or rain; move it under cover if the corn becomes damp.
8. Shape a corn-husk wreath with pumpkins
Soak husks until flexible. Trim uneven ends, then layer and shape the softened husks around a wreath form, a pumpkin, or another fall decoration. Let the finished piece dry thoroughly before placing it indoors. Add small pumpkins or other seasonal elements only after the husks hold their shape.
Best Value
- Whole Cob Ear Corn for Wildlife: Premium husk-free whole corn cobs, a natural and energy-packed treat for squirrels, deer, chipmunks, rabbits, ducks, and wild birds
- Family Grown in Georgia: Proudly raised on our family farm in Georgia, offering farm-fresh quality you can trust for your backyard wildlife feed
- Wildlife's Favorite Snack: Attracts and nourishes squirrels, deer, and other critters; suitable for use in squirrel feeders, corn holders, or scattered for ground-feeding animals
- Husk-Free Convenience: No husks means less mess and easier access for animals, making feeding simple and clean for both you and your wildlife visitors
- All-Natural & Preservative-Free: 100% whole corn, naturally dried with no additives, providing a wholesome, safe, and healthy treat for outdoor wildlife
9. String a fall garland
Use sturdy twine and space ears along it, securing each one so its weight does not slide. Alternate the ears with husks looped over the twine. Drape the garland on a mantel, staircase railing, or covered porch, and support the twine at several points for a long run.
10. Hang bead-and-corn clusters
Pull the husks back from each ear without tearing them. Wrap ribbon around the top, add beads to the ribbon or hanging strand, and gather several finished ears from a branch. Vary the lengths so the clusters form a tiered display. A sturdy branch or well-supported hook is essential once multiple ears are grouped together.
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Choosing the right project
- Need a five-minute update? Use the cabinet bundle or the napkin place setting.
- Want husks to provide most of the texture? Choose dyed husks, the sunburst wreath, or the shaped husk wreath.
- Prefer a wall or door focal point? A wired corn-and-leaf wreath or sunburst wreath will fill more visual space than a tied bundle.
- Decorating outside? The container-corn idea keeps the display in a pot, while solar path lights avoid introducing an open flame.
- Working with heavy ears? Plan for wire around the frame or support point, with glue used only as reinforcement.
Display and storage reminders
Keep every finished arrangement away from fireplaces, candles, stovetops, heaters, light bulbs that become hot, and other heat sources. When the season ends, store pieces in a dry place where they will not be crushed. Discard ears or husks that have become brittle, splintered, or badly damaged rather than trying to reuse them.
Quick Recap
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