This post contains affiliate links.
I love the look of topiaries used in home décor. They add a touch of greenery that is different than your typical house plants. You can find artificial topiaries at many home décor stores, but my favorites are the live plants that I turn into topiaries. They are usually much cheaper to make, too. Here is one I’ve had for two years that started out pretty small and it continues to grow.
A Boxwood shrub is what’s generally used to make topiaries, but you can also form and shape Rosemary, Pine, and most other small shrubs. Each of these small plant were about $6.00.
If you want to make one or two for yourself here’s how I do mine:
- Look for a plant with a strong straight trunk and looks like it has enough greenery to start shaping into a ball. These are generally young plants so you might have to be mindful of their potential as they grow. They will eventually be large enough to form a really pretty top.
- I use a pair of garden scissors, but any kind of scissor will work. Starting at the bottom where the greenery begins clip the small branches. Be care when cutting larger branches as they may make up most of the greenery at the top. Continue trimming and cleaning up the main trunk of the plant. There may be more than one main trunk and that’s OK.
This is before I started trimming.
This is after I trimmed. It still needs to be shaped up and cleaned.
- Once the trunk is clean of any branches and leaves start shaping the top into a round shape. Because they are young it may take some time for them to fill in.
- At this point I like to re-pot them. Clay pots are my favorite for these. (See below on how I age them.) I also like to top the soil with a layer of moss.
- As they grow you will need to continue to shape and mold until it becomes the way you want it.
Boxwoods are slow growing plants so you won’t have to spend a lot of time trimming. They like the sun so place them in a well lit area and water them about once a week. I add fertilizer when I water once a month.
Here a quick way I use to age the look of a new clay pot:
Using tan and cream spray paints I lightly spray the pots here and there.
Using sand paper I sand the whole pot. Continue sanding in areas to give it a natural mineral aged look.
With a dry sponge brush I then lightly add dark green acrylic paint in a few places and sand. Some times I’ll even rub dirt and moss on the green paint while it’s still wet to give it an even more authentic look.
These topiaries go together pretty quickly and make a beautiful gift for anyone. Give it a try.
I have always wondered how to achieve this I have a bay tree which has grown wild which I’m trying to shape so will have to use your tips!
This is a truly excellent website post. Not too many individuals would, in fact, the way you just did. I am really amazed that there is so much info about this subject that has actually been uncovered as well as you have actually done your finest, with a lot course.
In recent years, the phenomenon of essay writing services http://www.pnstudy.com/ has sparked widespread discussion and debate within the educational community. As the global trend of studying abroad continues to rise, the essay writing industry has seen continuous growth, but it has also raised a series of controversies. Experts widely believe that this phenomenon reveals issues within the educational system and poses a serious challenge to academic integrity.
Thanks for sharing your DIY expertise. I have been wanting to add some green accents to my home and your detailed guide makes it seem so achievable. Excited to get started on my own boxwood topiary project.
Mirror Services in Brampton ON
During your studies, you often have to deal with different types of problems https://www.polkadotpoplars.com/the-best-pot-roast/ But most of all I have a hard time writing written work. This is where specialists help me. With them, any training is easy and simple.
Build alliances, defeat enemies, and achieve greatness Hawkplay
Excellent article. The writing style which you have used in this article is very good and it made the article of better quality.
Rocket Bookkeeper streamlines bill and invoice management, ensuring accurate tracking of business transactions.