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San Juan Capistrano, CA. - By Kent Berchiolli-

Topiaries are plants grown and trained into specific shapes. An ancient gardening technique, topiaries achieved modern popularity in England during the reign of the Stuarts, who borrowed the style from the Dutch, proponents of formal gardens at that time. As a neatly trimmed topiary plant makes a sophisticated statement in the garden, topiaries traditionally were limited to extravagant or formal gardens.



But modern topiaries provide a look that can be festive or formal, depending on the shapes produced. Whimsical shapes include animals, cars, trains, even people. These non-traditional shapes pair with formal buildings to tone down their severity, while formal topiaries can lend elegance to a less formal structure. Front entryways, patios, wall space landscaping, smaller yards in condominium and single family dwellings are candidates for topiary plants.



More traditional topiary shapes include two and three tiers, free forms, bonsai shapes, pom-poms, spirals, globes, cones, espaliers, trellis, and varieties pruned to resemble geometric shapes such as squares and triangles.



A host of plant varieties can be trained into topiaries, and different plants lend themselves better into certain shapes and topiary styles. But whatever the choice, the plant must hold up under constant pruning. Plants with small leaves make excellent topiary candidates. Many hedge-type plants can be trained into poodles, globes, free forms and cones. Certain conifers, such as Juniper Blue Point, Juniper Spearmint, and Juniper Burki are perfect as poodles, spirals, and patio trees. Junipers that spread are ideal in free form, pom-poms and bonsai designs.



Intricate shrub topiaries take years to cultivate, as often more than one shrub is involved. Shrubs are planted wherever the topiary shape connects with the ground – such as at all four feet of a horse topiary. The frame (horse) is then placed over the plants which are fertilized and irrigated regularly. As the shrubs grow they are pruned, tied, clipped, twisted and coaxed into filling in the frame. The goal is to make the topiary look like one large shrub, not several separate ones. Once mature, shear the shrubs often to maintain the topiary shape.



For a fast, simple topiary, wrap a vine around a wire form for a vining topiary. This type of topiary can take on just about any shape, from the traditional topiary ring or ball of ivy, to more intricate shapes – depending on the imagination of the gardener. Simply plant your vine in a container and place a pre-molded wire form as close to the base of the main stem of the vine as possible. Wrap the vine around the form and continue wrapping as the vine grows. Prune away any odd shoots as they appear. Vines such as Star Jasmine, Gelsemium, Pandorea, Tecomiajasminoides, and Bougainvilla train well.



The sphagnum topiary is another fast option – a complete topiary can be produced in less than three months. Again, shape a wire frame to dictate the form of the topiary. Stuff the frame with sphagnum moss then secure your plants through the frame into the moss. You may need to cut some holes in the wire to make room, or use additional wire to secure the plants in place until they take root. English ivy or creeping fig are excellent choices for sphagnum topiaries, but any plant with small leaves and a trailing habit can be used.



As with other topiaries, sphagnum topiaries require regular pruning to maintain their shape and to promote multiple branching. To water the topiary, submerge the entire form in a tub of water or thoroughly soak with a hose. Most require frequent watering.



Not all topiaries require a frame. Simple shapes such as spheres, cones, squares or ovals are achieved by pruning alone. Choose a plant with a straight stem, then trim away everything except the foliage that can be shaped to fit your pattern. A gardener can get imaginative and feature several shapes, one on top of the other, ascending the length of the stem – typically with the largest item at the bottom and the smallest at the top.



Spiral topiaries don’t require a frame either, yet do require more than simple pruning to achieve the shape. Plants with an upright growing habit and a central woody stem make the best spirals. Begin with a young plant that’s in a container or the ground. Plant a stake that is the height you want the topiary to be next to the main stem. Wrap the stem around the stake in a spiral shape, keeping each wrap uniformly spaced, and secure it to the stake with string or raffia. Trim the side branches back to help create the spiral shape. As new growth appears, clip or wrap it around the stake and tie with string as before. When your topiary reaches the top of the stake, begin clipping back the growing tip to keep the topiary at the desired height. When the main stem turns woody the plant will be able to hold the shape on its own and the strings can be removed. Continue clipping the topiary as necessary to maintain the spiral shape.



The best time to begin training a topiary is early spring, to take advantage of the longest growing season. Because varieties of topiaries are so varied, there is always an appropriate topiary to display – flowering vines and shrubs in the growing seasons, and evergreens during the cold months.



Topiaries make wonderful centerpieces (and conversation pieces) in a large garden, so display them to their best advantage, without too much clutter around them. Feature special shapes for various holidays – a bunny at Easter or pom-poms at Mother’s Day. Use evergreen topiaries during the winter holidays to display ornaments. In the heat of summer, display them with your fountains and recapture that classical garden feeling.



Topiaries are also excellent for narrow space landscaping or to highlight an entryway, to frame a door, or even as a container plant for a patio or atrium. Display them with gazebos or trellises, or in containers on an endcap disguised as a front porch or small patio. Small spaces require extra effort to create a scene of interest and beauty, without leaving visitors feeling either cramped or exposed. Show how good placement of topiaries can achieve the perfect balance.



Aside from the special soaking the sphagnum topiaries require, the rest just need the standard amount of sunlight and water the un-trimmed plant would require. And although pruning and maintenance are necessary to keep topiaries crisp, they are worth the investment. Their size and beauty improves with age, adding value to the spaces they occupy.

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