Top Topiary

Remember seeing all those shrubs and bushes that have been trimmed to look like objects? Remember Edward Scissorhands? Well these people practiced the art of topiary. This is the art of trimming plants, by careful pruning and shearing, into various forms or objects, ranging from lollipop shapes to animals. Topiary is no longer associated exclusively with the grand European Gardens--now this art is waiting to come to life in your home.

Use the following tips for Rosemary, Myrtle, and Bay Standards
· Root single stem cuttings 4" long in summer -- do not pinch (for Bay root new growth).
· Once you have a well-established root system transplant into a 6" pot.
· Stake immediately.
· Disbud side branches as they appear but do not strip off all leaves along stem as they are valuable for carrying on photosynthesis in the plant.
· Once your plant reaches the desired height (anywhere from 1’ & up), you can pinch the terminal. If the terminal has broken during training it is possible to retrain on of the side shoots.
· Leave a certain number of side shoots to build up the size of the head.
· Allow more nodes to develop on the lower part of the head in order to prevent shading of those lower leaves.
· Pinch as needed to shape plant.

Use the following tips for Geranium (Regular or Scented), Lantana, Fuschsia, and Abutilon

Note: These plants tend to be faster growing and can be made into a standard in less than one year.
· Root in late September or early October--take tip cuttings of terminal shoots (because they tend to go more into vegetative growth).
· Pot up and stake as soon as a good root system is established.
· Occasionally in commercial production, Gibberellic Acid (a growth hormone) is use to increase the elongation rate of the stem and the nodes.
· Keep the sides disbudded but leave side shoots near top of terminal to build up head.
· Pinch back the terminal once plant has attained the desired height.
· To get even head development allow the lower part of the head to grow out more so that lower shoots are not shaded.
· Build a sturdy framework of branches by hard pinching early branches after the head is developed (every 2 nodes of growth should be pinched).
· Pinch as needed to shape plant.

General Guidelines for Topiary
· Plants will do well outside during the growing season. Store them in a cools greenhouse over winter.
· Keep pots rotated so that all sides will develop evenly. Avoid crowding.
· Fertilize with Osmocote (10-10-10), or other slow release fertilizer, applied to soil surface in early spring. You may also want to supplement with weekly feeding during active growth periods.
· Protect from strong winds to avoid damage.

Many other shapes or combinations can be done. For example, a prostrate rosemary can be trained to go straight up and then cascade over its stem. By using aluminum wire molded into various shapes, herbs can be trained into an assortment of forms.

Until you are confident, cut with restraint. You can always go over the plant a second time for closer clipping. The beauty of topiary depends on the precision with which it was done.