What are the ideal shrubs for pruning and shaping? Depending on the region, may different types of shrubs can be used for creating finely pruned topiaries. When asked what the ideal shrubs for pruning and...
When asked what the ideal shrubs for pruning and shaping are, our panel of top experts from Greenview Landscaping including Johanna who has been a landscape designer with the company since 2002, Ben who is a landscape design/build manager, and Tom who serves as the company's maintenance manager, says, "Usually you see people do a lot with junipers, or yews, or boxwood and other finer-textured evergreens. They tend to really make topiary, although they come in the circles, rectangles, or squares. You see all kinds of crazy shapes on small evergreen plants."
All shapes, no matter what they are, should be cut in an angle wider at the base and narrower at the top. If you do the opposite, wider at the top and thinner at bottom, sunlight never hits the bottom leaves. Also avoid shearing (cutting everything to the same growth) as this creates a form in which air cannot circulate and sunshine cannot get through. Topiary, the art of shaping a shrub into a certain sculpture, is shearing, so it is wise to research the hardiness of the shrub before attempting it.
The panel of experts says, "Upkeep is another consideration because those shapes are going to have to be pruned more often. They will get kind of fuzzy-looking and need to continually be given a haircut." If you like the look of topiary but not the maintenance, it would be best to hire an expert to do it for you. If you decide to attempt it yourself, at first choose simple shapes. As your skills improve, you can move on to more complicated pruning.
There are many how-to books on the subject of pruning and shaping shrubs. In some communities local garden centers or landscaping shops may even offer classes on topiary. Like mentioned before, watching a professional do it at least the first few times would be the easiest way to learn. You can even contact a local topiary artist and ask him or her to give you lessons. Call a landscaping company in the area and ask if they can refer you to such a person. They may even have one on staff.
Another option, for those that want the look of topiary, but do not want to be bothered with all of the pruning and shaping, is to create a few faux touches of it for the garden. You do this by purchasing a wire frame in the shape that you want and filling it with moss. You plant it with other flowers and shrubs around it and in this way, you have the look of topiary without all the hassle.
Even though it may be time-consuming, the artistic pruning and shaping of your shrubs can add so much to your overall landscaping design. If the idea is a little intimidating or just seems like "too much" for your tastes, start with one shrub. Have someone come in and do a simple design. Take some time to really "live with it" and decide from there.
