Plants are nature’s gift to us. They do so much more than we give them credit for. From increasing the earth’s oxygen supply to providing food and essential raw materials, their importance cannot be over emphasized. Something else they do, that has managed to become a major part of our lives, is beautification. Humans are a creative species; we appreciate art and designs. There is an amount of dopamine released into our systems when we see something beautiful, and over time, the use of plants to beautify the environment has evolved. So much that they had to give it a name, topiary.
What is Topiary Plants?
A layman’s understanding of topiary would be trimming plants to shape or design. Yeah, you have probably seen a bit of topiary here and there, especially if you live in Europe. This concept didn’t just start now though; right from the 44 BC in Rome, people have found amusement in making bushes into designs for decoration. It’s no surprise, since the Roman empire is basically the beginning of modern civilization and art. If you visit some places in Rome that remain preserved, you might still see a couple amazing structures, sculptures and topiaries that would leave your mouth wide open.
Brief History of Topiary
Topiary can be traced all the way back to 44 BC but the first formal documentation of the art can be traced to the 16th century Roman Empire in letters by Pliny the Younger. He talks about these artworks, giving credit to Gaius Matius Calvinus as the author of the artform. According to Pliny, Gaius introduced this artform to then leader, Julio Caesar who made it famous across the empire.
After the fall of the Roman empire, the artform suffered a huge set back, but wars nine centuries later brought the art back when gardens had to be trimmed to create more space which was later adopted as a style of its own called espaliers.
The renaissance period brought back ‘topiary’ where gardens were made for viewing pleasure in places like Italy, Netherlands and France even though the style varied. The French preferred the sight of balls and cones, and the Dutch were skilled at more complex designs like life sculptures.
In the 17th century, the art form found its way across borders into the home of the English and it was widely accepted. Almost every structure possessed a topiary design until the critique of popular English poet, Alexander Pope, changed the views of the people. After over a century, the art form regained prominence and acceptance in England, and has only grown in popularity since then.
Over time, topiary has spread into other parts of the world and has since become a common sight in many places around the globe. Everyone has become something of a Picasso in their own backyard, pruning their plants to give stunning designs. If you plan on joining the club, then there’s a few things you need to know before planting and trimming away.
What To Consider When Choosing a Topiary plants
It’s understandable that you want to dive head first into your own world of topiary after seeing a beautiful landscape or your neighbor’s design. But just like with any other type of gardening, there are a few things you need to put in place.
Have a plan
This will always be the first on the list when it comes to gardening, or any other thing for that matter. You need to have a well thought out plan. Have you seen the design in your head? Have you thought about what plant would best fit into the landscape you have chosen? What about the colours? All these come together to make an amazing setting, and need to be thought through, or you might just end up with regrets.
Know your Schedule
Knowing your schedule is very important in choosing a topiary plant. If you wouldn’t have time to maintain your plants, there are choices that require less maintenance like Red Robins. Some leaves need more trimming than others too, so it’s important to be sure you’re up to the task. Another option would be to get an artificial topiary. These plants give the beauty of the natural ones with zero need for maintenance, and are friendly to the environment.
Choosing The Right Plant for the Right Landscape
Different plants would fit into different landscapes. Knowing which is best is important for bringing out the beauty of your landscapes. For instance, Boxwood topiary plants would fit into almost any setting while cedar topiary plants are best for taller designs since it’s more robust.
Size and Shape Matter
It’s a no-brainer that the size and shape of your plant matter. A smaller, round topiary plant would look better on a balcony than it would in the middle of a large room. You could say this part generally boils down to preference, but even at that, there are general unspoken rules. You don’t want a plant that overwhelms or underwhelms the general picture.
Best Plants to use for Topiary
While all plants are beautiful in their own right, not all plants are suitable for topiary. Mostly, shrubs are preferred. Box is the most preferred choice out of all the shrubs and has been used right from the ancient days. It was the first ever shrub used for topiary and has since remained the top choice even today because of its thickly leaf evergreen. Others like Yew and Holly have slowly become popular as well. There’s a long list of shrubs to use, so let’s dive right into them.
Boxwood Topiary Plant
If shrubs were college students, boxwood would be that handsome guy in the football team that always managed to get straight As. It’s the go-to leaf for anyone, especially if you have no idea about topiary. The ancestors used it for a reason, and everybody knows the ancestors are almost never wrong. They are a perfect fit for every design and landscape you can possibly think of, so you should consider trying them out.
Yew Topiary plant
This is the next best thing and has risen to prominence over the years, even becoming as popular as Boxwood. Its super flexible and easy-to-maintain (especially because of its slow and steady growth) which is why it has become a top choice for many landscape gardeners. If you’ve been craving a particular shape or design, you can rest assured that the yew shrubs can be manipulated to give a smooth and precise outcome. You could say it’s a perfect choice for perfectionists. Beware though, as the yew topiary plant is poisonous to certain pets, so you can’t plant it recklessly.
Red Robin Plants
Another great choice and maybe not spoken about enough is the red robin topiary plant. Just like the yew, the green and red plant is very easy to shape. Its distinct colours amplify the beauty of any landscape it is introduced to, but that’s not even the best part. The most amazing feature these petite beauties have is that its foliage remains fresh all-season round. So, if you’re not big on maintenance, or maybe travel a lot, the red robins are a great choice for you.
Lavender Herb Topiary Plant
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear ‘lavender’? Probably the sweet scent, right? That’s one of the perks you get when you choose to go the way of the lavender herb. Besides brightening your landscape with the purple colours of the shrub, the air around you will smell like heaven. It’s great for the outdoors and would be practical indoors as well.
Holly topiary plant
The holly plant is one of the more popular shrubs used for topiary. This is due to the fact that its leaves grow slowly, so there isn’t a lot of maintenance needed. Besides the fact that it is really beautiful and glossy, there are claims that the leaves of the holly plant are medicinal. According to these claims, the plant holds calming and soothing properties, reduces fever, arthritis and swelling. Still, don’t use it without the prescription or recommendation of a qualified health professional.
Eugenia topiary plant
Eugenia are low maintenance plants that have really dense foliage. They are the perfect plants for decorating your patios and small spaces as they have glossy leaves that bloom white flowers in the spring. They are extremely beautiful and are usually double-ball shaped with a bare stem in the middle. In the fall, they produce red berries that also add to their magnificence.
Germander Topiary Plant
If you are looking for a plant that embodies beauty, look no further than germander. Recommended especially for pro gardeners, the leaves of this plant are silver with white undertones and fit perfectly into a range of settings. Imagine the snow falling on the thick, glossy shrubs of this plant, art. It’s usually found in the Mediterranean and can reach up to 5 by 5 in area.
Rosemary Herb Topiary Plant
The rosemary herb is all round amazing, not just for its decorative ability and pruning ease, but also because it can be used as a spice in your meals. The scent that emanates from the leaves is potent and nothing short of amazing. The oils can even be used as perfume. At the end of winter, the leaves of the rosemary topiary plant produce beautiful flowers, making it a force in decoration. The leaves are fast growing, meaning you might have to do a little bit of extra pruning, but on the bright side, it’s more spice for you.
How To Care for Your Indoor Topiary Plants
Adding an indoor topiary to your space can instantly brighten it up with colours and unbelievable aromas. But unlike the ones outside, they might not receive the great care that mother nature gives to her children, nature, obviously. So, you might have to give up your game to make sure your plants remain healthy and in good condition.
Position your plants in a spot that receives enough sunlight
You know when the golden sun comes out and you go to your window to take a sun-kissed selfie? Your plant needs the sun’s kisses too. Place your plant in a spot in the room that receives up to about 6 hours of sunlight daily, so they can grow strong and remain healthy. Important! Make sure to rotate your plant each week so it can grow in a balanced shape; no part should be stunted.
Water your plants appropriately
Just like the ones outside, they need water. Don’t forget about them. Water your indoor plants consistently and make sure they are moist at all times. A great drainage system would be very much appreciated. Also make sure to check the temperature of the room to make sure it’s not too hot, or your plant would probably dry out quickly.
Pruning
This one Is probably very obvious. You don’t want a forest in your room, especially if you own a plant that grows quickly. It needs to be kept trim and in shape to maintain its beauty and purpose.
Disadvantages of Topiary
There is a saying that everything that has an advantage has a disadvantage. Now, I don’t know how true that is, but I do know some common mistakes people make when getting into topiary gardening.
They underestimate the cost of maintaining a topiary
This one is a little tricky. Getting natural topiaries is not as expensive as the artificial ones, but most people who want them do not want to invest the time for maintenance; they just want to have a beautiful space, and with plants, it just doesn’t work that way. Plants are living things that need to be given attention and taken care of. If you can’t afford to, then the alternative is getting an artificial topiary which costs a good buck.
They forget that topiaries are still plants
For some reason, many people tend to forget that topiaries are still plants. They are not just decorative pieces like a painting on your wall. They should be treated like plants that they are; the same way you’d treat the gardens that grow food. So make sure those priorities are straight.