Anyone who’s watched Edward Scissorhands must have yearned to make something similar to the shrubs in his mountain estate. For many people, this movie is perhaps their initiation to the world of topiaries; shrubs can assume different shapes than balls and angled boxes after all. If you’re keen on creating your own masterpiece in shrubs, be forewarned: creating and maintaining topiary requires patience and determination, much like caring for a bonsai tree. If you don’t have a green thumb and your hand dexterity is whack, here’s something to guide you on your quest.
The shape which topiary can assume depends a lot on the plant which you plan to use. For beginners though, ivy is highly recommended since it is easy to manage and guide into any shape, and it flourishes throughout the year. If this is your first attempt to create topiary, you’ll need an ego boost, since forcing a stubborn plant into shape by itself may require more patience than you can normally muster. You need to use a topiary frame, and you need to start with the basic ball shapes; some wire-frames are built to cradle two ball-shapes, one on top of the other, while others allow for more variety. Consider all of the frame options before you make your choice, but the basic ball shape is recommended if you want to get a good feel of what you’re getting into.
You have to put your first topiary in a pot so as to ensure that you can limit its growth while giving it a solid base. It should be large enough to handle the frame but small enough not to overwhelm the quaint effect. Fill it in with loose potting soil and sprinkle it with ample water, then fasten the base of the topiary frame into it. Get enough sphagnum moss for the frame; the amount will depend on the frame’s size and capacity. Soak it in water until it is thoroughly moist, and then squeeze it before stuffing it into the frame. Keep the foliage in place and intact by wounding a nylon line all over the frame.
Separate the ivy vines; ensure that the roots remain intact while you do this so the vine will flourish for a longer time. Then ‘plant’ each vine into the moss by poking the root into it, taking care not to force pieces of moss out of the frame while you do it. Fasten each vine with a hair pin. Use shorter vines for the frame, and plant longer ones directly into the soil; use a stick to train the latter to climb towards the frame. Keep the topiary in a cool, partially-shaded area, such as a gazebo or patio, and make sure that the soil stays moist. Use fertilizer sparingly to limit its growth, and if some stems are stubborn to pruning but are flexible enough to help the topiary assume its shape, tuck it into the inside of the general shape of the plant. There you have it; with tender, loving, care and a nice sense of symmetry, you’ll be a self-made topiarist (if there is such a term) sooner than you think.
