Creating a Boxwood Topiary

Topiary adds real style to a patio or deck, and making your own is easy and rewarding.

Excerpted from How to Grow Practically Everything
Filed under: Topiary, Patios, Gardening

Shape the Lollipop Top

Either leave the spiral as it is, or trim a ball on top. When clipping a ball, try using a wire template (see Tip, below) to create a regular shape. Move the template around the ball to check that it's spherical. If you make a mistake, leave the area to regrow, then try again.

Tip: Circular Template

To make a circular template, wrap a piece of thick wire around something round and solid, and about the same size as the ball you wish to create; a paint can would be ideal. Then twist the ends together to keep the shape.