Topiary is the ancient art, dating back to Roman times, of sculpted shrubbery, pruning shrubs and trees into shapes, including animals.
It is the horticultural practice of training perennial plants by clipping the foliage and twigs of trees, shrubs and subshrubs to develop and maintain clearly defined shapes such as geometric ones or even animals.
The term also refers to plants which have been shaped in this way. The word derives from the Latin word for an ornamental landscape gardener, topiarius, a creator of topia or “places”, a Greek word that Romans used.
The plants used in topiary are evergreen, mostly woody, have small leaves or needles, produce dense foliage, and have compact and/or columnar growth habits.
Shaped wire cages are sometimes employed in modern topiary to guide untutored shears, but traditional topiary depends on patience and a steady hand; small-leaved ivy can be used to cover a cage and give the look of topiary in a few months. The hedge is a simpler form of topiary, often used to create boundaries, walls or screens.
Add some fun to your garden and have a go at creating your own topiary masterpiece.
