Once limited to parks and formal gardens, topiaries are now making a splash in the residential landscaping scene.
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Topiary is the art of trimming plants, trees or shrubs so that they form ornamental shapes. This art can be traced back two thousand years and seems to have started with the Roman Empire. From there, it spread across all of Europe and reached it’s peak during the Renaissance. Today, this landscaping art can be seen in formal gardens and labyrinths all over the world.
Used as the focal point for some gardens, topiaries come in all shapes and sizes. From spheres to spirals, animals to people. Topiaries are getting the attention of homeowners as they make good outside decors. As pretty as they are, these landscaping add-ons are not merely for aesthetic appeal; they are functional as well. Hedges, the simplest type of topiaries, are used as fences by people who want to add privacy to their yards.
Flower topiaries are used in garden weddings and even birthday parties. They make gorgeous centrepieces for table tops.
Topiary plants should be evergreen, woody and dense. They should have small leaves or needles, dense foliage, and compact tendencies. The ideal plants for topiaries include myrtle, juniper, Japanese box, rosemary, and bay laurel. To shape the plants, topiarists use wire cages or sticks— anything to achieve the desired form.
All topiaries need pruning every month or so, depending on the plant type. For woody plants, you or your gardener may use an electric hedge trimmer with changeable blades. To maintain its shape and size, it’s best to avoid over-fertilizing topiary plants. Most topiary plants require a slow-release fertilizer that’s applied yearly. From time to time, you would also need to keep any stray branches and/or vines inside the form.
If you want to have this wonderful landscaping add-on but don’t want to deal with the maintenance, there are tons of landscapers and gardeners who will be happy to assist you. For more options, post your job and get to compare quotes and prices for free.