Topiary for the Garden

Training bushes and vines to grow in a specific way takes a great deal of patience. The plant must be trained from the very beginning in order to create a piece of living art. Topiary is the name given to these cherished pieces of garden art. They are plants that have been grown into a recognizable shape and size. Some look like people or animals. Others are trained into the shapes of mythical creatures.

The art of topiary is not a static art. The creator cannot just work on it once and leave it on display. Because this is a living art, the plants must be trimmed on a regular basis. Sometimes, plants must be retrained to stay in place. Continual effort must be put forth to ensure the pieces are trimmed and tidy. Each piece of topiary art will continue to grow through the years and may be admired by many generations.