Topiary is the art of sculpting shrubs to create distinct shapes and designs. Topiary is done throughout the world from the West to the Far East. Creating topiary forms takes time and patience as well as a willingness to maintain the appearance of the topiaries by means of trimming and taking care of the plant itself by watering it and keeping it safe from natural elements. Topiary can be made in a variety of forms ranging from the most basic geometric shapes to incredibly bizarre designs. There virtually is no limit to what you can make.
This form of art usually uses shrubs and sub-shrubs. These plants are evergreen, they grow small leaves and needles that result in dense foliage. The most common types of shrubs used for topiary forms are arborvitae, bay laurel, box, holly, myrtle, privet, and yew. In order to guide the growth of the plant and in turn create distinct shapes, a shaped wire cage is often used. This method is much faster than traditional shaped formation.
Topiary forms are often made in the shape of an animal. They are put in gardens to give them a more natural appearance and an almost magical quality. Life sized elephant topiaries and even dinosaurs are created for places such as museum grounds, theme parks, and royal gardens. Holiday themes are also often employed when creating topiary forms. For instance, a topiary form of Santa Clause in his sleigh along with the eight reindeer, a giant candy cane, or perhaps even a nativity scene can be seen during the Christmas season in areas of the world with warmer climate during the holiday season.
The same could be done with a heart during Valentine’s Day or with a giant Easter bunny during the spring holiday season. Crosses of different shapes and sizes are a common sight in the gardens of some churches. The most common types of topiary frames, however, are those that come in basic shapes such as globes, pillars, cones, and other geometrical designs. Series of carefully planned topiary can be used to construct elaborate walkways and outdoor corridors as well as huge garden labyrinths.
For more information on topiary forms and topiary information, please visit our Topiary Fun site at: http://topiaryfun.com
