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The definition of the word topiary, as described by Wikipedia, encompasses a good deal more than the topiary I typically think of when someone says the word. I picture various shapes of spheres, wreathes and cones our local nursery grows when the word is mentioned. They are often made from English ivy or other readily available green plants, including rosemary. When our Trader Joe’s sells rosemary topiary I usually buy one because they are fragrant and pretty and last for months. When a topiary grows too large for the kitchen window, I place it somewhere outdoors.
Loi, over at Tone on Tone, has been growing myrtle topiary for his home for over 10 years. Visit HERE if you want to be inspired to grow a few of these beauties for your own home.
Topiary is the horticultural practice of training live perennial plants by clipping the foliage and twigs of trees, shrubs and subshrubs to develop and maintain clearly defined shapes,[1] perhaps geometric or fanciful; the term also refers to plants which have been shaped in this way. As an art form it is a type of living sculpture.
But the “practice of training live perennial plants by clipping the foliage and twigs of trees, shrubs and sub-shrubs to develop and maintain clearly defined shapes…” encompasses one of my favorite landscape tools. The boxwood hedge.
Carla’s secret garden (above) before her redo—look away, Carla.
Yes, there are fanciful shapes that can bring whimsy and beauty into the garden, but the use of the boxwood when it’s trimmed to provide a bit of structure where structure is needed, is something I use in my own garden and clearly the master gardeners of the globe have historically used this to great effect.
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Do you have any topiary growing in your yard or a plant in your home?
Jenny Mein (@jennymeindesign) said:
I absolutely love topiary in all its forms, it adds structure to the garden. I have topiary Boxwood balls in large pots so I can move them around the garden. When the flowers in the garden are over it is nice to see the topiary balls especially during the winter. I am trying to shape some of my lavender and rosemary bushes into topiary balls too! A neighbour of mine, spent years clipping her hedge in the shape of an animal, a fox I think it was. She started with wires to begin with…quite a rewarding project!
Karen B. said:
Jenny, I just purchased a boxwood from a specialty grower that supposedly was grown in such a way that it will naturally stay in a ball…I’ll let you know. I love the idea of trimming rosemary into a shape. My rosemary grows like a weed so it wouldn’t take long to have a distinctive shape. Be sure to let me know how the lavender and rosemary topiary work out. xo, Karen
debra phillips @ 5th and state said:
LOVE topiary, it truly sets your garden space apart. i am the proud owner of a 5′ x 6′ boxwood chicken!!
Karen B. said:
Debra, A 5′ chicken, I love it! How often do you have to trim her? There’s a doggie day care near my office that has several dog topiary in front of their business…it always makes me smile but our yard is too small to tackle more than the typical balls and boxes. 😀 Enjoy your final weeks of summer, Debra. xox, Karen
Msshe said:
I love topiary……indoor and outdoor. I don’t have any in my new yard, but maybe over time. I think I will try your rosemary idea. I see lthem at Lowes in my area around Christmastime. Sheila
Karen B. said:
Sheila, They last quite awhile indoors. I have a reader that says she’s creating a topiary with a rosemary from the nursery that hasn’t been shaped yet. I hope she let’s me know how it turns out. 😀 Karen
Taylor Greenwalt said:
I have always loved topiary’s…especially in the garden…so pretty
Karen B. said:
Julie, Me too! xo, Karen
Loi Thai - Tone on Tone said:
Hi, Karen!
I spent the last two evenings pruning and clipping back my topiaries. Had neglected them this summer….busy traveling. Our Traders Joe’s also carries great topiaries. And they are usually priced really well. Thanks for the link, Karen. I really appreciate you mentioning my tops 🙂
x Loi
Karen B. said:
Hi Loi, You’ll be needing a vacation with all of your travel this summer! 😀 Your topiary s are great. I wish I could find the variety you shared with your readers, still searching. Enjoy these last weeks of summer, my friend. Karen
Victoria • Restoring our Victorian said:
Those dogs!! (Or, not dogs, but still!) They really look like they’re running… Longwood Gardens near us has an amazing topiary garden with a giant sundial. It’s really unique.
Karen B. said:
Yeah, I’m working on some hunting hound topiary that should be ready to share in 2020! 😀 xo, Karen
around the table said:
Wonderful Karen! Topiaries are wonderful and I like them in all shapes and forms. Rosemary is so pretty and I too use it inside to enjoy the fragrance. Ivy is so easy and Loi has the most beautiful collection I’ve ever seen:) Enjoy your day!
Karen B. said:
Leslie, I think Loi’s are myrtle but I’ve not been able to find them on the west coast. They are fun indoors and out. Enjoy the rest of your week. xo, Karen
Kelly - Talk of the House said:
I have long loved them since I was a teenager…first when visiting Williamsburg and appreciating their formality in the gardens there, and then seeing them used so creatively at Disney World. But I have never attempted them. I guess I thought you had to be a pro to be able to trim them correctly. But then anything 3-D has always been a challenge for me. I never even cut my children’s hair when they were small!
Karen B. said:
Kelly, I had to laugh, if you had seen my youngest hair the first (and only) time I gave him a haircut! I think the simple ball or box shaped are all I’ve ever tried…the animal topiary are way over my head. I do enjoy seeing them, especially in a large park setting. xo, Karen
Linda Coble said:
Karen,
What wonderful pics! I always enjoy it when you include pics from your own home or garden. I’ve been a fan of topiaries all my life even though I don’t usually have very good luck with them. I’ll keep trying and seeing this lovely post give me incentive to persevere.
Karen B. said:
Hi Linda, I’m the same, while I can grow English ivy, English ivy topiary’s seem to get too large and trimming doesn’t always work. xo, Karen
Gretchen said:
Karen, you were the one who introduced me to boxwood hedges. They have transformed my garden! I love the structure and sense of order they create. You’ve used them so effectively in your garden. I wish I had room for a pack of topiary dogs running through my grass in the back yard!
Karen B. said:
In our area we all share plenty of live critters in our yards…they will have to do. Wouldn’t a dog topiary be fun, though? xo, Karen
Sarah said:
We share yet another love beside dishes. I’ve books and books on topiary and use pieces in both our garden and our home. I’ve always wanted a large statement piece, but have been content with simple tiered balls, wreaths, or cones. I’ve recently added preserved boxwood orbs to urns in our home. They are great! Just need to mist them with water occasionally. I don’t seem to have consistent luck with ivy topiary. Would love to try my hand at the myrtle topiary. Thanks for the link.
~ Sarah
PS
Love your last image. I need to start a topiary pinterest board. ‘-)
Following you by email now.
Karen B. said:
Sarah, I’m so happy and flattered that you are now following me via email. I’m doing the same with your site. It’s so fun to see what you’re up to with entertaining and your lovely garden. I have only one of the preserved boxwood items, a wreath, but I’ve wanted one of the orbs. I wasn’t aware you had to mist them. I want to try a myrtle topiary as well, I haven’t found one but believe there’s a nursery where I could order one. Karen
melizaarora said:
Wow! They are really stunning. I am always fond of Topiaries. All of these are exceptional I have never seen before.
Karen B. said:
Thanks for stopping by.
Karen