Decorating with Topiaries Insider's Garden : Episode TIG-111 -- More Projects »
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Jasmine is an excellent choice for a topiary because its trailing limbs adhere easily to forms.
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Topiary, which literally means "green sculpture," is the art of forming plants into shapes that can be elegant, modern or whimsical. And despite appearances to the contrary, topiaries aren't hard to create. Some plants that are well-suited to training in this way include juniper, which is excellent for formal arrangements; blue Tuscan rosemary, which has small needle-like leaves that fill in the shape beautifully; and Atlas cedar, which has a marvelous, wind-swept appearance. But there are many other plants, including ivy, which will work just as well.
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Gently wrap jasmine stems around the topiary form.
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With its long sweeping tendrils, jasmine makes beautiful topiaries. All you need is a topiary form, available at nurseries and garden supply stores.
1. Start with a pot that has broken pottery shards in the bottom for drainage. Fill the lower portion with regular potting soil.
2. Place the jasmine in the center of the pot and fill in with more soil.
3. Work the topiary support into the soil gently at the base of the plant.
4. Carefully wrap the plant tendrils around the support.
5. Place the jasmine in full sun and water well. Fertilized after potting, but then discontinue fertilization during the life of the plant because you don't want the topiary growing too quickly.
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Juniper, which needs lots of direct sunlight by a window, makes a wonderful topiary plant because you can trim it into almost any shape. Here it is trained in a classic swirled design.
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Old-fashioned ivy is still the best choice for many contemporary topiary shapes.
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Ivy is also a good choice for a mantel topiary. It grows quickly and does well in moderate light.
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Myrtle works well in a triple ball design and used in pairs to flank a fireplace. It also works well in a line of small topiaries on the mantel.
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Topiaries became popular in the 19th century when gardeners began designing small green sculptures for display. One of the most popular formal designs is the two-ball topiary, or poodle, but there are a wide range of other design possibilities, from the classic ivy ball to fun and whimsical shapes.
Topiaries soften the lines of a home, bring nature indoors, and add a relaxed, natural dimension to a home.
Ivy is still one of the best choices for topiaries. It grows quickly, and its trailing branches are easily trained. Rosemary also makes a good topiary because it responds well to cuttings and is fragrant.
For dense foliage, try using euonymus. The leaves are small and grow tightly, making it a good choice for tight spaces such as below a lamp or beside a bed.
The topiary should be one and a half times the height of the pot for proper proportion.
Give the plant the light it needs. Many topiary plants do well with indirect, bright light. Rotate your topiary regularly so its shape stays uniform and well-maintained.
When shopping for a topiary, check three things to ensure a healthy plant: uniformity, which means the plant has been rotated regularly; deep leaf color, which indicates adequate sunlight; and excessive leaf drop which would indicate the plant hasn't been watered well.
Choose your topiary's container to coordinate with your room's décor.Try dressing up your topiary for special occasions or to add a whimsical touch to a room:
- Shape an ivy topiary into an elegant candelabra shape using wire. Attach a small bud vase at the end of the wire arms and add fresh flowers. Garnish with sparkling ribbons.
- Add a fun element to a bird's nest ivy topiary. Nestle a nest and eggs at the bottom of the circle, then decorate with small birds, available at craft stores, around the rest of the arrangement. This is a great project for kids.
- For a party, make a balloon arrangement. Start with a fern base for the topiary. Wire ivy up the stem of the topiary and attach balloons at the top. Add color-coordinated curly ribbon for a festive touch.
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