As topiary is used to create striking focal points of your outdoor
area, you don’t want plants that will
shed come autumn. Choose evergreen plants for a permanent feature in
your garden regardless of the season.
Seasonal plants can also provide a brilliant burst of colour as the
plant changes colour during the seasons. Plants with dense foliage
can give the best aesthetic due to their thicker and bold shapes.
How do you prune topiary?
With a sharp pair of hedge shears that will cut branches rather than
crush them, you should start cutting back longer shoots while
keeping your blades parallel with the growth of the plant so you
don't disturb the shape.
Remove any cuttings as you go. Use secateurs for thick parts of the
plant. Wearing
gardening gloves, run your hands through the branches to find any stray branches
you missed so you can have the sharpest shape possible.
How often should I trim my topiary?
Just by looking at your tree, you should be able to tell when it is
losing its shape and needs a trim. This can happen much more
frequently in the growing season and may need trimming as much as
once every few weeks, whereas others may need pruning only once a
year. This will depend on which plant you have.
Does the topiary need full sun?
Your topiary plant should be placed outside with several hours of
direct sunlight each day – if it is stuck in shade for the majority
of the day, like a lot of plants, it could defoliate or die.