Basic Topiary

Book excerpt: Without fail, visitors to the great gardens of the world are enchanted by their topiary art. These great, green sculptures, often in the form of animals, but sometimes in geometric or abstract shapes, are formed by carefully binding and trimming a living plant. The patience and skill required may seem intimidating to those who wish to try their hands at it, but in this book the art is made accessible to every gardener. Well illustrated, with easy-to-understand instructions, three topiary projects are offered, a peacock (with instructions for its transformation into an angel), a Gothic arch, and a duck. The projects shown use small, potted plants from the nursery, but the techniques are readily adapted to shrubs and bushes in the garden. The tools and materials needed for topiary are common, owned by almost every gardener; with this basic guide, all that is needed is a little creativity and time. The results will astound.