Topiary is the art of cutting trees and shrubs into ornamental shapes, so creating living garden 'sculptures'
Topiary makes an impressive statement in any garden, either formal or informal, traditional or contemporary. Topiary can be used as individual specimens, in groups of matching or contrasting shapes, or even interspersed in mixed informal planting to provide accent points.
Topiary is a fantastic way of adding evergreen structure to the garden and dates back to the times of the Romans who had a special slave called a topiarius to maintain their topiary. Topiary was popular all through the Middle Ages, Renaissance Italy, in 17th Century France — and now again in the 21st century.
Traditionally, long-lived plants such as Yew (Taxus), Bay (Laurus nobilis) and Box (Buxus) were used for topiary but many more plants can be trained as topiary — including Photinia, Ligustrum and some conifers. Plants can be trained into a wide range of shapes from balls, cones and spirals to animals, people and vehicles, not forgetting the stunning Japanese cloud-pruned topiary.
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Taxus - "Yew" |
Very small leaves so good for dense shapes with precise lines. |
One trim per year may be enough. Prune between late spring and early autumn. |
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Buxus - “Box”
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Small leaves so good for dense shapes with precise lines. New growth is light green. |
May need 2 or 3 trims per year. Prune between late spring and early autumn. ‘Greedy’ plant, so feed and water well. |
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Ilex - “Holly” |
Available in variegated colours as well as green. Berries in winter. |
Slow growing — one trim per year between late spring and early autumn. |
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Ilex crenata ‘Kimne’ “Small leaved Holly” |
Often used for stunning Japanese cloud pruned shapes. |
One trim per year between spring and early autumn — very precise shapes may need a second trim. |
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Ligustrum jonandrum “Privet” |
Very small leaves so good for dense shapes with precise lines. |
May need 2 or 3 trims per year. Prune between late spring and early autumn. |
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Carpinus betulus “Hornbeam” |
Deciduous but retains leaves during winter. Often used for pleached hedges. |
Prune in late summer to avoid removing autumn leaves. |
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Camellia
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Requires acid soil. Autumn flowering and spring flowering varieties available. |
Prune only after flowering to avoid flower loss. |
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Cupressocyparis leylandii |
Small foliage so good for spirals and other intricate shapes. |
Fast growing — may need 2 or 3 trims per year. ‘Greedy’ plant, so feed and water well. |
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Laurus nobilis “Bay” |
Larger leaves so good for solid shapes such as balls and cones. Leaves can be used in cooking! |
1 or 2 trims per year between late spring and early autumn |
Pruning Topiary
The frequency and timing of pruning of topiary differs according to the type of plant - but, with the exception of very complicated shapes, is not as difficult as it looks! Take time when clipping and shaping, and stand back frequently to check for discrepancies. Work from the top down and from the centre outwards, moving from side to side to check the balance.
Maintenance of Topiary
In the spring weed, feed (with a slow release fertiliser) and mulch all topiary. Water as necessary, particularly in dry spells. All topiary that is clipped regularly requires generous feeding and watering, particularly if planted in containers. Brush off any snow in winter to avoid the splaying out of branches. Most topiary prefers full sun.