If you’re looking for something a little bit different to do in your garden, why not give topiary a try? It’s a creative and relaxing pastime and is perfect for helping you get a spot of fresh air. And topiary is not only lots of fun but will make your garden look spectacular too.
What is Topiary?
Topiary is the art of training perennial plants into different shapes by carefully clipping and trimming the foliage and twigs. Basic shapes start with globes, pyramids and cubes while more advanced structures include everything from peacocks and dragons to people and pets.
Topiary has been popular for centuries and became very fashionable in Great Britain during the Tudor and Stuart periods. If you’d like to see fantastic examples of topiary, pay a visit to astately home orformal garden where you’ll often find amazing topiary displays.
How to get Started
If you want to have a go at topiary, a good place to start is with a simple structure such as a ball or cube. You don’t need any specialist equipment – just basic garden shears and clippers, although specialist topiary shears are also available. You will however need lots of patience as the art of topiary takes time – both in waiting for your plants to grow and in painstakingly trimming the foliage to your desired shape. Your efforts will be worth it though when you stand back and admire your artwork.
If you want to make things easier, you can buy a topiary frame made from chicken wire to help guide your structure. You can even purchase plants that are ready planted with a topiary frame to get you started. Then all you have to do is wait for the plant to grow and when you see the foliage and twigs coming through the wire, simply clip back closely to the frame. Remember to water and feed plants regularly to help them grow successfully.
The best time to trim your plant is in early or mid-summer when the plant is growing well. If you have a fast-growing plant, you may find you need to cut it a couple of times throughout the summer season. As the plant grows, the foliage will eventually hide the wire and you’ll will be left with your chosen shape.
As you get more advanced, you may wish to buy chicken wire to create more intricate shapes and designs. Again, patience is the key as some more complex shapes can take years to become well established.
Which Plants are best for Topiary?
Some plants are better suited than others for topiary. Generally it’s best to choose woody, evergreen shrubs with small leaves or needles as these will produce the best shape when clipped. Yew, box, privet and holly will all give good results.
What Next?
If you would like to expand your topiary skills, take a look online to find topiary courses that may be available in your local area. You’ll also find a wide range of books and supplies for sale online. Or for more information and inspiration, visit the European Boxwood and Topiary Society: www.ebts.org/wp/
