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Some topiary-making tips
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Place your topiary plants in a spot shaded from direct sunlight and wind, to protect the health of their leaves and to keep them from getting blown out of their arrangement. Keep them in moist garden soil, to keep the leaves from drying out and dropping off. Don't hesitate to tie up weak branches or stems to promote the topiary's shape.
Purists may frown upon using wire frames to guide in shearing, but they are a quick way of making sure you cut the right leaves. Fertilisers must be used sparingly as they may cause growth spurts in the topiary plant. When pruning, it's more effective to do only a little at one time, rather than making a mistaken cut and then waiting for the plant to grow it out.
The best plants for topiaries have a constant shape and are robust enough to stand repeated pruning. Some species recommended by topiary experts are Japanese Box, the native Lilly Philly and Bhutanese Cyprus.
You may also use wire mesh frames and ivy vines to create topiary-like shapes in your landscaping project. This process will take time as the ivy wraps itself around the wire mesh. Topiary experts recommend galvanised steel wire over chicken mesh as it is less prone to corrosion.
The making of topiaries revolves around the plant's growth cycle. With traditional from the ground up topiaries, it can take years for a plant to assume its desired shape. For these reason, topiary plants should have robust qualities that can hold up to repeated trimming, a reasonable and steady growth rate, and with Australia's parched times, a minimal demand for water. Popular species for topiaries include arborvitae (Thuja spp.), box (Buxus sempervirens), bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), conifers (Juniperus), gardenias, holly (Ilex spp.), myrtle (Eugenia or Myrtus species), and yew (Taxus species).
Another alternative is to make non-living topiaries from wire mesh and organic or synthetic plant materials like moss and flowers. You can make small topiaries and turn them into holiday gifts for your loved ones.
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