Prune and clip your way to a work of art – but where do you start?
Clipping plants into architectural shapes or even animals is back in fashion, so here’s your guide to topiary. Many thanks to Sutton Manor Nursery for the technical information.
What is topiary? It’s the art of pruning plants, usually trees and shrubs, into architectural shapes. Set your sights high, and you can make complicated animals! Topiary adds structure and a creative dash to your garden – think of a living statue.
During the last year, Google Search Trends revealed that the search for ‘topiary’ has increased by 60 per cent, while ‘heart topiary’ has risen by 190 per cent. Sutton Manor Nursery owner, William Mitchell, noticed an increase in demand for topiary.
He said: “In the last few months, the nursery has seen a growing interest in topiary among British gardeners. More people are looking to bring a bit of wow factor to their own gardens, and are doing this with several topiary plants.”
Guide to topiary – the best plants to choose
You must choose the right plant, usually hardy evergreens. A topiary plant needs small, dense foliage that can stand being regularly clipped. Consider hardiness, branching patterns, growth rate, and how easy they are to grow. Check whether they are compatible with topiary frames, a great way of achieving a complex design simply. Here are the best plants to use:
Box (boxwood or Buxus)
Box is ideal for creating geometric designs such as cones or globes. The flexible foliage can be clipped into numerous patterns and lines. Plants need consistent moisture levels and well-drained soil. Dwarf varieties exist, too. One downside is if you live in an area with box blight.
Yew (Taxus)
The evergreen yew is slow-growing, with flexible foliage and minimal care needed. Japanese and English yews are most popular, but there are many hybrids. One drawback is that the yew is toxic.
Japanese holly (box-leaved holly, Ilex crenata)
Evergreen with broad leaves, the Japanese holly is an ideal choice due to its rounded form, dense bushy appearance and moderate growth rate. Great for animal topiary and geometric shapes. Branches are tight and neatly packed together. Considered hardy up to -20C, Japanese holly can tolerate shade and many different soils.
Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium)
This semi-evergreen hedging stalwart is tough, hardy and can cope with highly polluted areas. It’s a perfect choice for a beginner, as it’s fast-growing and can be easily shaped.
Arborvitae (Thuja)
These versatile evergreens can be cut into many shapes – but watch what you buy! Mature size can range from 3 feet tall to 70 feet. Thuja occidentalis and its cultivars are suited to spiral and cone-shaped topiary due to their naturally narrow triangular shape.
Rosemary
This perennial herb can be grown into many interesting shapes, and it will reach up to 6ft. However, it’s not suitable for the colder parts of the UK. It’s a Mediterranean native, so it needs a warm, sunny garden in very well-drained soil. Try growing it in a pot and taking the plant into a cold greenhouse in late autumn.
Cherry laurel (common or English laurel, Prunus laurocerasus)
It’s not the easiest shrub to grow into topiary, as the leaves are large, but the cultivar Otto Luyken makes an excellent dwarf subject. It’s not very flexible, so be careful when pruning.
Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca)
Ideal for cone and pyramid shapes, this low-maintenance dwarf evergreen tree only grows to 10-12 feet, branches are densely packed and slow-growing.
Lavender (Lavandula)
For small topiary, lavender could be the perfect option. You need very well-drained soil, and in cold, wet areas, try growing it in a pot and take it under glass in severe weather.
Germander (Wall germander, tree germander, Teucrium × lucidrys, T. chamadrys, T. fruticans)
Not a plant for beginners! The many varieties can be used for various purposes. The evergreen Mediterranean tree germander has glossy, aromatic leaves that can be easily shaped.
Guide to topiary – different shapes
When it comes to which shape to choose, you can let your imagination go wild. However, as a beginner, it’s better to choose a simple, classic shape. Go for globes (balls), cones, spirals and pyramids. With more experience, try animals, people… anything.
Cones
The iconic cone is a staple in landscaping and is the most natural-looking of all the traditional topiary shapes. Plants should be slow-growing, with dense, small leaves, and evergreen, such as Arborvitae. If you’re looking for a quick fix, try using ivy around frames.
Globes
Ideal for containers and on a big or small scale. Try them freehand or using a globe frame. Use a plant that is quick-growing with dense foliage, such as box or yew.
Spirals
Although it may look daunting, spiral topiary is fairly easy to create and maintain. Whether you want your spiral in a container or on the ground, this type of topiary remains classic and elegant. Best suited to evergreen trees and shrubs like the Alberta spruce because of their sturdy trunks and vibrant green foliage.
Animals
Box is best for this sort of detail due to its flexibility, compact growth, and dense foliage. Use a wire frame guide for less work and faster results.
Guide to topiary – keeping your creations healthy
Ideally, topiary plants need well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. Correct watering is essential, so water often, especially in summer. Rainwater often fails to reach the base, and water directly at the base.
For potted topiary, feeding is essential. Use slow-release fertiliser granules for ease. You can tell if your plant is suffering from a lack of nutrients because it will grow very slowly, and the leaves will become coppery and weak.
Pruning
Topiary doesn’t require as much pruning as you might think. Prune potted and garden-grown plants in early or late summer, as this is when plants recover the quickest. Some faster-growing species may require a second trim.
Topiaries like good air circulation. If foliage becomes too thick, thin out the growth, removing some of the longer branches, to allow more light and air into the plant.
For more information, visit www.suttonmanornursery.co.uk.
