FAQ: Topiary Trees

Topiary Tree FAQ Page

Whether your topiary tree is in a pot or standing in your garden, you want to keep it looking green and healthy. You’ve got trimming down. After all, it’s just clipping off long growth but there’s more to caring for a topiary. If you have a topiary or are thinking about getting one, here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about these decorative trees. 

FAQ About Topiary Trees

Some questions you’ll want to ask your local arborist, like which specimens are right for your growing zone. Some trees do best in colder climates, while others love heat and plenty of sunlight. 

How Do You Maintain a Topiary Tree

Paying attention to three things will help keep your topiary thriving. 

1. Watering is crucial. Potted topiaries often need more water than planted trees. A good tip is to check the soil moisture with your finger. If it’s dry, it is time to water. 
2. Foliar or slow-releasing fertilizer is recommended. It encourages growth and a healthy root system. 
3. Topiaries do not need a lot of pruning to keep their shape, and timing is crucial. The best time to trim topiaries is in the early summer. 
4. Outdoor Boxwoods care varies. We offer a comprehensive guide on how to take care of outdoor boxwoods throughout the USA.

How Do You Take Care of a Topiary Tree in the Winter?

Most topiary trees are dormant in winter, but check that it applies to yours. You can skip fertilising and pruning. You may still need to water occasionally, depending on the climate and the type of tree. In freezing temperatures you may have to cover it. Avoid plastic: it can freeze to the plant and damage it. Inexpensive plant covers are sold for this, and an old bed sheet works as long as the plant is completely covered. Pile mulch around the root base and the lower trunk. You may lose some foliage to the cold. The plant will stay alive, and in a few seasons it is back to where it was.

How Often Should You Water a Topiary Tree?

It’s easy to over or underwater a topiary tree. It doesn’t matter if it is in a pot or planted in the ground. Potted plants will dry out faster, so be prepared for almost daily watering. If you see the soil starting to pull away from the pot, it’s time to water. You can also do a finger test. Insert a finger a few inches into the soil for planted topiaries. If the soil is dry, go ahead and water. Topiaries in the ground generally need water two to three times a week, depending on average rainfall. Consider a preserved Topiary Tree.  

How Do You Shape a Topiary Tree?

Shaping a topiary is easier than you might think, especially if you keep up with the new growth. The form is already there; you are only holding it. Sharp pruners and a little patience. Trim slowly and take only the new growth. Cut too deep and you lose the shape. Trim in the morning if you can, for the light without the afternoon heat.

Do Topiaries Die in the Winter?

Most topiary trees do not die in winter if they are evergreen. Deciduous ones, which drop their leaves in autumn, are often cold-hardy too. There are exceptions. Some plants cannot take extended cold, and those should stay in pots so they can come indoors in freezing weather. Your topiary should arrive with care instructions; if it does not, ask whether it is winter-hardy.

Does a Topiary Need Full Sun?

Topiaries in general require around 6 hours of full or partial sunlight. These are not shade-loving plants. If you notice yellowing leaves, and it’s not due to improper watering, it can be a sign your topiary needs more sun. 

What is the Best Plant for a Topiary

You aren’t limited on options when it comes to the types of topiaries, several species are ideal. Some are evergreens and others produce flowers or winter berries. Here are a few plants that are the best choice for a topiary tree. 

• Dwarf Alberta Shrub
• Boxwood 
• Japanese Holly
• Privet
• Yew Bushes
• Cherry Laurel

When Should You Trim a Topiary?

The best time to trim a topiary is in the early to late summer. It is when the plant needs to expel the least amount of energy to heal the cut. Throughout the year, you can make small cuts to the new growth, but refrain from performing any extensive trimming. 

Why is my Topiary Turning Brown?

Topiaries turn brown for a few reasons. It may be caused by too little water. A lack of sunlight can also cause leaves to turn brown, even on evergreen trees. If your topiary is potted, it may be root-bound. It means the tree has outgrown the pot. The disease is another option, and you can find fungicides on the market. Before you apply chemicals, check with a local expert. Plant diseases differ according to the growing region. 

How Do You Plant Topiary Trees in Pots?

Potting a topiary takes a few steps and a couple of things. The plant, a pot, and some garden soil. The pot should be wider than the root ball and deep enough to hold it. Look for garden soil made for trees. It usually comes with the nutrients already in it.

1. Place a layer of dirt on the bottom of the pot before planting the topiary. The root system needs the soil for growth. 
2. Carefully center the plant in the pot. Make sure there isn’t a gap between the roots and the layer of soil. Water can collect in the space killing the topiary. 
3. Cover the sides and top of the root system with potting soil. 
4. Water the tree in. Don’t be afraid of overwatering the first time. The topiary needs the excess as it settles into its new home. 

Pruning Topiary Balls?

Topiary balls draw the eye, and they are not the easiest shape to keep. Even with heavy summer pruning a ball can end up lopsided. Prune excess growth through the year, before it gets away from you, and check with a local nursery on the right season for your plant. It also makes the original shape easier to follow. Use sharp clippers. Cut flat against the leaves and you take the overgrowth without going too deep.

Can a Topiary Grow in the Shade?

As a rule topiaries want full or partial sun. A few will live in shade. Yews and boxwoods are the examples, and even they want a couple of hours of light. Hemlock is another option, but we would not recommend it: every part of the plant is highly toxic, and it is illegal to grow in some communities.

Do Topiary Trees Come Back Every Year?

Topiaries come back every year with proper care. Most are evergreen and hold their leaves through winter. Some are not cold-hardy, which is a problem if they are in the ground rather than a pot. Choose one that suits your region.

How Do You Decorate Topiary Balls

Decorating with topiary balls opens up lots of possibilities. The balls can be grown in staggering hanging baskets. Decorative pots also work great. You can even hang small ornaments from the branches. Make sure the decorations are lightweight, so you don’t have to worry about broken tree limbs. Lights are another option, but not recommended. It looks pretty but the heat from the lights can burn the leaves. Ribbons and fake snow are great around Christmas time, and you may not even notice the lack of twinkling lights. 

How Tall Does a Eugenia Topiary Get?

Left alone, a Eugenia topiary will reach 20 feet. It is a fast grower, which is worth knowing before you plant one. With regular trimming it stays around 5 to 10 feet. Still tall. Still the thing people look at first in a garden.

Conclusion

Topiaries say something indoors and out, and they are easier to look after than they look. Water and feed through the growing season. Keep pruning light except in summer. If something is going wrong, a local arborist can help.

Custom topiary artforms

How do I order a custom topiary art form? Start with where it will stand. Outdoors, decide between planting foliage on the frame or a lower-maintenance faux finish; indoors, the frame can be dressed with flowers or preserved foliage instead. Browse custom made topiary to see the range, then send us the shape and rough size you have in mind.

Can I add plants to a topiary frame? Yes. On a mossed frame, treat the moss as soil: plant into it and water as the plant establishes. See our guide to adding live plants to a topiary frame, or how to add ivy to one. Ivy cannot be shipped to every state; Oregon, for example, does not allow it. For choosing species, start with the best plants for topiary.

Can a tired topiary be revived? Usually. Moss sheds and fades over the years, and a re-mossing brings the piece back at a fraction of the cost of a new one: call us before you retire it.

Ordering, shipping and returns

How do I pay? Online through Stripe at checkout, or by card over the phone on 866-306-1020 (9am–5pm Eastern). What does shipping cost? Shipping and handling are calculated after the order is placed, so the figure you approve is accurate rather than estimated. Can I return an item? Stock items, yes: call within 10 days of delivery for a Return Authorization and return within 15 days of purchase for an exchange or refund. Custom topiary trees, art forms and custom orders are non-refundable. Full details are on our customer service page.