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    Topiary

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    Calvin Klein
    This document provides information on topiary, which is the art of sculpting living trees and shrubs into shapes by pruning and clipping. It discusses the various plants commonly used for topiary like boxwood, laurel, and holly. The document also covers care requirements for topiary including temperature, light, watering, fertilizing, and pest control. Finally, it describes different topiary shapes that can be created like wreaths, stuffed animals, standards, spirals and cones.

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    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Topiary

    Uploaded by

    Calvin Klein
    762 views0 pages
    This document provides information on topiary, which is the art of sculpting living trees and shrubs into shapes by pruning and clipping. It discusses the various plants commonly used for topiary like boxwood, laurel, and holly. The document also covers care requirements for topiary including temperature, light, watering, fertilizing, and pest control. Finally, it describes different topiary shapes that can be created like wreaths, stuffed animals, standards, spirals and cones.

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    This document provides information on topiary, which is the art of sculpting living trees and shrubs into shapes by pruning and clipping. It discusses the various plants commonly used for topiary like boxwood, laurel, and holly. The document also covers care requirements for topiary including temperature, light, watering, fertilizing, and pest control. Finally, it describes different topiary shapes that can be created like wreaths, stuffed animals, standards, spirals and cones.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    762 views0 pages

    Topiary

    Uploaded by

    Calvin Klein
    This document provides information on topiary, which is the art of sculpting living trees and shrubs into shapes by pruning and clipping. It discusses the various plants commonly used for topiary like boxwood, laurel, and holly. The document also covers care requirements for topiary including temperature, light, watering, fertilizing, and pest control. Finally, it describes different topiary shapes that can be created like wreaths, stuffed animals, standards, spirals and cones.

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    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    Page 1 of 1

    HOUSEPLANTS DEPARTMENT

    TOPIARY
    By Dee Beckman


    Topiary is the art of creating sculptures using a medium of living trees and shrubs by pruning
    and clipping. Not to be confused with Bonsai, that is an art creating nature in a miniature
    form. There is no limit to what you can do. The word derives from the Latin
    meaning creator of places.
    First introduced by Caesar in Tuscany, who grew interesting shapes like
    ciphers, obelisks and animal shapes that brought what was a plain garden to
    life, and produced a miniature landscape (topos). The trees and shrubs that
    are used in topiary are usually evergreen and have naturally small leave or
    needles, creating dense foliage and have compact and/or columnar growth
    habit. Vines (Hedera and creeping Fig) are sometime used over a shaped
    wire frame or cage to create a specific shape.
    The most common plants used without a frame but are not limited to are:
    Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens),
    Laurels (Laurus nobilis and Ficus benjimina),
    Holly (Ilex spp),
    Myrtles (Eugenia and Myrtus spp.),
    Yews (Taxus And Podocarpus spp.) and
    Privet (Ligustrum spp.)






    Page 2 of 2
    TEMPERATURE
    Topiary can be Tropical, needing a nighttime temperature of 60 degrees F. or warmer; or
    sub-tropical, needing a winter dormancy period for at least 6 to 10 weeks (below 60 degrees
    F). The ideal temperature is between 45 and 55 degrees F. at night. Sunrooms and
    Greenhouses work best; however, an unheated spare bedroom or basement will work. Over
    wintering outdoors should be done for temperate, or winter hardy plants that need colder
    temperatures below 45 degrees F. Place hardy plants in a protected area preferably in a cold
    frame, close to the house or in the garage. Wrapping the plant with burlap and the pot with
    bubble wrap will help protect the plants from the elements.
    LIGHT
    Most topiary should have a permanent growing area close to a window that has at least 2 to 4
    hours of direct sunlight. Then on special occasions, they can be moved briefly (up to 3 days)
    to tables or mantles for display. The only exception would be Hedera ivy; this plant will need
    filtered bright light, no direct sun. Remember to turn the plant turn every time the plant is
    watered. This will encourage even growth. During the summer, topiary can live out on the
    patio. They should be under partial shade and protected from severe conditions (wind, hail
    and freezing temperatures).
    WATER
    Allow the top 1/3
    rd
    of the soil to dry down each time between watering. Use a moisture meter
    or dig your finger into the soil to determine if the plant needs more water. This drying out of
    the surface between watering is especially important during the resting period from fall till mid
    spring.
    Because topiary is usually in a small pot and possibly root bound, they will need to be
    watered frequently and thoroughly. Submerge the plant to allow the soil to become saturated.
    After it has quit bubbling, remove the plant from the water. Do not let the plant sit in water for
    long periods of time. Drain excess water from the tray. Some plants may have sensitivity to
    chlorine and fluoride; allow the water to sit over night for the gasses to escape.

    Page 3 of 3
    FERTILIZER
    Use a 20-20-20 all-purpose liquid fertilizer half strength, every other watering to once a
    month, during the growing season or a in the spring use a slow release fertilizer like
    Osmocote for houseplants that will last for 4 to 6 months.
    PESTS
    Topiary, like most garden plants can get some pests. Some plants are predisposed to pests,
    such as Ivy is to spider mites and laurels are to scales. The best way to eradicate these
    suckers is to physically remove by dunking or washing off the leaves and stems with soapy,
    sudsy water. Use a liquid dish detergent that has no lotions and is biodegradable.
    Fill up a bucket or sink with warm water. Add dish soap, 1Tbsp to a gallon of water; wrap a
    plastic bag around the pot, tight. Then turn the pot upside down and dunk the plant head first
    into the water, swishing vigorously around the leaves. Pull it out and set it aside to drain. Do
    not rinse off the soap let it dry onto the plant. Repeat every 7 to 10 days for a couple of
    weeks. If the insects just wont go away, try an insecticide like Bayer rose and flower spray or
    a granular systemic insecticide. Remember to do a test spray first. Sometimes the plant will
    react adversely to the spray or soap.
    TRIMMING
    The more frequently topiary is trimmed, the more attractive its shape will be. Wrapping the
    long tendrils will only cause the plant to become leggy. Pruning the tendrils/branches by
    about 1/3
    rd
    to will cause a more compact miniature appearance.





    Page 4 of 4
    Creating Shapes

    Wreath
    Creating a living wreath isnt difficult. Start with a young plant (ivy or a pliable stemmed plant)
    and a wire support/frame. Plant two small plants in the container and gently bend each to
    follow the lines of the frame, securing it with stretch tape or twist tie. If possible, wind the
    stem around the wire to give it a firmer grasp and camouflage the support. Pinch the growing
    tip off. As the plant fills in, keep the side shoots clipped to encourage branching.
    Stuffed Topiary (animal shapes):
    These are easier than one-dimensional forms. Acquire chicken wire, make a frame and fill
    with damp coarse sphagnum moss. Plant directly into the moss with small plants (ivy, baby
    tears or creeping fig), spacing evenly around the topiary. Keep turning the frame every few
    days to expose all sides to light. Keep the inner moss evenly moist not allowing it to dry out.
    Soak weekly.
    Standard Topiary (lollipop):
    Start out with a plant that has a single stem (fuchsia, coleus, rosemary etc) stick a bamboo
    stake as close to the stem as possible into the soil. Tie the stem to the stake. As it grows,
    remove all side branches on the bottom 2 /3
    rds of
    the stem leaving a tuft of growth on top.
    When it has reached the height you want, pinch the top and let the upper branches grow out
    to form a crown. All the while, the standard in-training will need constant rotating to make
    certain that the stem stays straight and the side branches grow out symmetrically.
    Spirals and Cones:
    Usually, the same shaping as the standard, but not removing the bottom branches and
    pruning to shape into a spiral or a cone.

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