Creating plant topiaries involves training plants to grow within a frame.
Here’s a guide:
- Framing: Place a wire frame over an existing plant (like boxwood, euonymus, or ivy) and trim the growth to fit. Fast-growing ivy can quickly cover smaller frames. Alternatively, plant directly into a moss-filled frame.
- Planting in Moss-Filled Frames:
- External Planting: For small plants (3/4-1 inch), poke holes in the damp moss and insert the plants.
- Internal Planting: Open the frame, insert plants into the moss, thread the leaves through the wires, and reassemble.
- Care: Water with a starter fertilizer (10-52-10) and keep in a shaded, wind-protected area initially. Water regularly, like a hanging basket, and fertilize every other week.
- Design Considerations:
- Texture and Color: Mimic animal textures (smooth, fluffy, scaly) using appropriate plants (e.g., grasses for manes). Use variegated plants for patterns.
- Scale: Choose small-leaved plants for smaller frames.
- Plant Compatibility: Use plants with similar growing needs, such as drought-tolerant succulents. Be mindful that exposed areas dry out faster.
- Plant Density: For immediate impact, plant every 2 inches; for slower growth, plant every 4-6 inches.
- Winter Storage: Water thoroughly before frost and move to a protected, unheated area near a window. Water monthly.
Version 2 (More Detailed and Instructional):
A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Plant Topiaries
There are two main methods for creating plant topiaries: training an existing plant or planting directly into a moss-filled frame.
Method 1: Training an Existing Plant
- Place a wire topiary frame over a suitable plant, such as boxwood, euonymus, or ivy.
- As the plant grows, regularly trim it to conform to the shape of the frame.
- Fast-growing, small-leaved ivy can cover a frame in just a few months.
Method 2: Planting in a Moss-Filled Frame
Soak the moss-filled frame in water and let it drain.
- External Planting (for small plants): Create small holes in the moss from the outside and insert the plants.
- Internal Planting: Carefully open the frame, remove some moss, and insert the plants, threading their leaves through the wire mesh. Repack the moss and reassemble the frame.
Care and Maintenance:
- Water with a starter fertilizer (10-52-10) and keep the topiary in a shaded, wind-sheltered location for several days before moving it to its final spot.
- Water frequently, similar to a hanging basket, and fertilize every other week.
Design Tips:
- Mimicking Animal Features: Observe the textures and colors of the animal you’re replicating. Use plants that match these characteristics (e.g., grasses for manes, and low-growing plants for smooth bodies).
- Color and Pattern: Use variegated plants to create patterns and add visual interest. Flowering plants can provide unexpected color accents.
- Scale: Select plants with leaf sizes appropriate for the frame size. Smaller plants work best for smaller frames.
- Plant Compatibility: Choose plants with similar growing requirements, such as drought-tolerant succulents. Be aware that exposed areas of the topiary may dry out more quickly.
- Planting Density: For immediate fullness, plant every 2 inches. For a more gradual effect, plant every 4-6 inches.
Winter Care:
Water thoroughly before the first frost and move the topiary to a protected area, such as an unheated garage near a window. Water sparingly (once a month) during the winter.
