Topiaries are plants trimmed into fun shapes. They can be used to make your yard, garden, or porch look cool and interesting. You can find topiaries shaped like balls, cones, animals, or even birds!
What Is Topiary?
Topiaries are great for areas close to your house that you see all the time. You can put them near pathways, seating areas, or summerhouses. Topiary is a top choice for front gardens, and a pair of identical plants flanking a doorway or gate has a timeless appeal. Small topiary balls can decorate window boxes, and bigger ones add interest to your garden even in winter. Topiaries in pots or raised beds can stand alone or look nice next to seasonal flowers.
An elegant backyard paired with green topiaries and some tall grasses looks super chic and cool.
A tiny backyard defined with a tall living fence, with a planter and topiaries around.
A beautiful garden with topiaries of various shapes, allium and some blooms is a lovely idea.
Cone-shaped and round topiaries plus some tall topiary trees are a great combo for a sophisticated garden.
Topiaries lining up bold yellow blooms, with stone balls next to them make the space more eye-catchy and unusual.
A living wall, a bench, some topiaries, potted plants and pebbles paths make the garden unusual and very bold.
Topiary trees, lavender and leaves are a super stylish modern combo for a garden, a front or backyard.
Trees, topiaries, some planters and climbers fill the garden with greenery and life and make it elegant and chic.
A refined and polished space with a hedge, lavender, a topiary and some trees is amazing and very stylish.
Green topiaries alternated with lavender line up the fence in a raised garden bed and make the backyard more chic.
A modern landscape with large green topiaries and a container pond looks stylish, chic and relaxing.
Pros of Topiaries
- Topiaries add a unique and attractive touch to your outdoor space.
- Most of them stay interesting to look at all year round, even in winter when other plants might not look their best.
- Thanks to the trimming process, each topiary is a personalized part of your garden design.
- Larger topiaries can act as natural privacy screens or hedges, adding structure and privacy to your garden.
Cons of Topiaries
- Topiaries require regular pruning to keep their shape. Shaping them can be tricky and require some skill. This can be time-consuming, especially if you have many of them.
- Some topiary plants grow slowly, so it might take a while to achieve the desired shape and size. Buying already-shaped ones can be quite expensive.
- Topiaries can be susceptible to pests and diseases, which might require additional care and treatment.
How To Care For Topiaries?
- Check your plant’s label to see how much water it needs. Plants in pots need more water than those in the ground. Stick your finger in the soil to see if it needs water.
- Trim your topiaries lightly but often to keep their shape. You might need to do this two to four times a year. Cut back the longest parts so everything is even. If you’re not sure how much to cut, start with a little and see how it looks. You can always take off more, but you can’t put it back! Never cut all the way back to the bare stems.
- For round shapes like balls or spirals, move the shears in a rolling motion around the curve. For cone shapes, make straight cuts up and down to get nice, straight sides.
A topiary tree accented with little topiaries and bold blooms at the bottom is like a whole small garden in one flower bed.
Green topiaries and some trees look bold and cool in the backdrop of a white and stained wood fence and give an elegant feel to the garden.
Lush purple and white blooms paired with large topiaries create a feeling of a classic English garden without getting too formal at the same time.
A raised garden bed along the fence, with topiaries, succulents, greenery and trees is a cool idea for a small backyard or garden.
Rows of topiaries with a single blooming tree and a hedge can make a lovely modern landscape with a bit of blooms.
Style your garden bed with some little topiaries and pebbles and add blooms, shrubs or trees around.
A gravel and pavement pathway lined up with topiaries and grasses looks cooler and more modern and chic.
Line up your house or pathways with topiaries to make them more eye-catching and add curb appeal to the house.
A large blooming tree framed with hdge and topiaries to make it more highlighted and eye-catching.
This scenery features a living fence, a tree, lots of topiaries and even a topiary bench plus stone balls, and here topiaries are dominating.
Topiaries and blooms plus a bird bath hidden bring that secret garden feel and attract pollinators and birds at the same time.
Round topiaries paired with bold blooms make the flower bed bolder and cooler and you get shape and color simultaneously.
Line up your laconic or minimal garden fence with topiaries, grasses and a tree to make the space feel lively and the refresh the corner.
Topiaries, topiary trees and white hydrangeas bring a spectacular look to the garden, these blooms are a wow factor.
A varied scenery with a lawn, topiaries, trees and shrubs is very eye-catching due to the variety of forms, sizes and colors.
Topiaries accented with vine balls and bold pink roses create a lovely and modern look without going too formal.
A modern stained fence with a wall-mounted planter with greenery, a small landscape of topiaries, blooms and trees is adorable.
A modern farmhouse space with a white fence, topiaries and white flowers, a large sofa and pillows and an urn with greenery.
A black trellis wall, topiaries, potted topiaries and wicker chairs are a lovely combo for a modern or modern farmhouse garden.
Potted topiaries are great as they are mobile and you can hide them from harsh weather conditions or move to the porch to highlight the front door.
A number of modern garden beds with topiaries, grasses, a shrub piece and some greenery is a great idea if you love modern landscaping.
A beautiful and manicured garden with trees, hydrangeas, topiaries and greenery plus a pathway among them.
A stained fence is refreshed with topiary trees and balls plus grasses, which accent the border of the space.
A whole garden placed along the wlal, with a bench, potted topiary trees and topiaries plus white hydrangeas.
Green topiaries and dark foliage balls are a cool combo if you love balls but want some different colors.
Topiary trees and lavender at the bottom to hide the garden bed itself and add interest to the arrangement.
A fence corner with topiaries of various shapes, a blooming tree and some grass is always a good idea.
Pairing olive trees, topiaries and white hydrangeas is always a win-win idea as you get flowers, color and shapes in one.
Tall trees and topiary balls make up a cool and relaxed modern landscape with no flowers.
Potted and growing flowers and topiaries in pots and not only create a lush landscape, though most surface is covered with brick and stone.
Lush white hydrangeas accneted with topiaries and with a low hedge as a border look amazing.
Choosing Plants
Selecting the right plants for topiaries is crucial for creating beautiful and long-lasting shapes. Here are some popular choices and tips to help you pick the best plants for your topiary projects:
- Boxwood is a popular choice because it has dense foliage and grows slowly, making it easy to shape. It’s evergreen and maintains its green color year-round.
- Yew is durable and tolerates heavy pruning, which makes it perfect for intricate shapes like spirals and animal forms. It’s also evergreen, providing year-round interest. But be cautious, as yew is toxic if ingested by pets or humans.
- Privet grows quickly and is hardy, making it a good option for beginners. It tolerates pruning well and can be used for hedges, balls, and standards. However, in some regions, it can become invasive, so check local guidelines before planting.
- Holly’s glossy leaves and bright red berries add seasonal interest to your garden. It’s evergreen and suitable for shapes like cones and pyramids. The leaves can be sharp, and holly grows slower than some other choices.
- Rosemary is aromatic and has the added benefit of being edible. It’s an evergreen that works well for small topiaries, like balls and spirals. It needs well-drained soil and may be sensitive to frost.
- Lavender is fragrant and produces beautiful purple flowers that attract pollinators. It’s best for small topiaries and informal shapes. Lavender prefers well-drained soil and might not thrive in very cold climates.
When choosing topiary plants, consider your local climate to ensure the plants will thrive. Think about the growth rate of the plant—slow-growing plants need less frequent pruning but take longer to shape. Plants with small, dense leaves create a more uniform look, and evergreens provide year-round interest compared to deciduous plants that lose their leaves in winter. Opt for plants resistant to local pests and diseases to reduce maintenance.
Tips To Make Topiaries Yourself
Start simple!: If you’re new to process, start with simple shapes like balls or cones. These are easier to trim and maintain.
Invest in good-quality pruning shears. Sharp tools make cleaner cuts and are easier to use.
Be patient! Topiary art requires patience. Don’t be discouraged if your plant doesn’t look perfect right away. With time and practice, you’ll improve.
Some plants are better for topiaries than others. Boxwood, yew, and privet are popular choices because they have dense foliage and grow slowly, making them easier to shape.
Consistent watering, feeding, and pruning will keep your topiaries healthy and looking their best.