Spiral Topiary
A spiral topiary turns a single boxwood or arborvitae into a living corkscrew, the classic shape for flanking a front door. Real spiral topiary trees hold their line with a light trim once or twice a year. Pairs look best matched in height. Ask us for two that suit your doorway and your winter zone.
Live Boxwood Spiral Topiary, 58-61 Inch Thick Spirals
$1,295.00delivery quoted separately
In stock, ships by freight
9 ft Live Green Beauty Spiral Boxwood Topiary
$5,500.00delivery quoted separately
In stock, ships by freight
Need a size or shape you don’t see?
Tell us the space and the height. We will suggest pieces and quote them with delivery to your ZIP.
Why choose a living spiral topiary
A spiral looks like it took years to make, and it did. The turns are clipped into a living plant a little at a time, which is why a real spiral topiary tree costs more than a ball of the same height. The rows below cover where a spiral fits in a yard, which plant to pick for your winter, and what it takes to keep the turns crisp.
Spiral topiary trees for a front entrance
A matched pair of spirals is the classic frame for a front door. The twist draws the eye up to the entrance, and the boxwood stays green all winter.
Match the pair by height and by the width of the turns. Thick-turned spirals look heavier and suit a wide door or a tall entrance; slimmer turns suit a narrow porch. Every spiral is quoted with delivery. Ask us for two that match, and our team will reply within hours.
Spiral evergreens and spiral bushes in the yard
Planted in the ground, a spiral evergreen gives a lawn or a long bed a strong vertical point. The tallest here is a 17 ft arborvitae spiral, sized for a large landscape rather than a porch.
Arborvitae is not boxwood. It is rated for zones 3 to 7 and likes full sun to part shade, but deer eat it in winter, and heavy ice or snow can break its stems. Where deer are common, plan to protect it, or choose a boxwood spiral, which deer usually leave alone.
Which boxwood spiral suits your winter
'Green Beauty' is rated for zones 6 to 9 and is listed among the boxwoods with resistance to boxwood blight. The variegated spiral is safest in zones 6 to 8. It should get no afternoon sun.
The direction a spiral faces matters too. Boxwood facing south or southwest gets more winter burn, which turns the leaves orange or yellow-brown, than boxwood facing east or north. Put the variegated spiral where the house shades it after noon, and send us your ZIP code if you are unsure of your zone.
A living spiral keeps growing
That is the point of a real spiral, and the one chore that comes with it. Most boxwood grows 3 to 6 inches a year, and a Japanese boxwood such as 'Green Beauty' can put on up to 12. Left alone, the turns fill in and blur.
A trim once or twice a year, after the last spring frost, keeps them apart. Cut along the turns already there. The care guide by zone gives the timing for your area.
Questions about Spiral Topiary
How is a spiral topiary made?
By clipping. The spiral is cut into a dense plant by hand, one turn at a time, over several years, with no form to follow. That time is most of the price. Why a boxwood spiral costs what it does explains it step by step.
Do spiral topiaries need full sun?
They need bright light, but boxwood does best with shade in the afternoon. The variegated spiral should get no afternoon sun at all. The arborvitae takes full sun to part shade and thins in deep shade. For a dim spot, a preserved spiral may suit better.
How do I keep a spiral topiary sharp?
Trim once or twice a year, after the last spring frost, following the existing turns instead of cutting new ones. Avoid cutting in late summer or early fall. Every year or two, thin the foliage so light and air reach the inside. The topiary year has the timing.
Can a spiral topiary stay outside in a pot over winter?
Yes, if the plant is hardy enough. Roots in a pot are far less hardy than the top, so choose a spiral rated one zone colder than your own. ‘Green Beauty’ is rated for zones 6 to 9. The care guide by zone matches boxwood to your area.
How are large spiral topiaries delivered?
By freight, upright and braced, with delivery included in the quote. A tall spiral laid on its side arrives damaged, so it never rides flat. Someone needs to be there to sign, and any damage should be noted on the receipt before signing.
Do you sell artificial spiral topiary?
Yes, on a separate page. Artificial spirals need no trimming or watering, which suits a shaded porch or a spot nobody tends. See artificial spiral topiary for the sizes and outdoor grades.
Do deer eat spiral topiary?
It depends on the plant. Deer usually leave boxwood alone, except in the leanest winters. Arborvitae is a favorite winter food for deer, so the arborvitae spiral may need protecting where deer are common.
