Topiary figures: a step-by-step description of creating figures. Topiary art

One of the popular trends in modern landscape design is topiary art. Topiary are geometric figures and sculptures from garden plants. A similar way of decorating the landscape was born back in ancient Rome.

From the trees and shrubs of the master create topiary figures in the form of balls, cubes, people and animals. Unusual creations allow you to make a garden unlike other, lively and interesting.

Varieties

The art of creating sculptures from plants is diverse in technology and styles. There are two types of topiary figures:

• Traditional;
• Wireframe.

Traditional techniques involve a ready-made tree, which, with the help of a haircut, is given the right shape. Simple figures for the garden (cubes, balls, cones) can be created by simple pruning by the eye, without the use of other materials. Complex structures are obtained using a metal frame of a certain shape dug into the ground of the plant. When the tree grows up and begins to go beyond the boundaries of the frame, it is pruned, and in the end the desired shape is obtained.

Wireframe technology is more laborious in its essence. It differs from the traditional by the presence of a special metal frame, in which a tree or shrub is grown. Preliminary make a frame, in it put a ground for planting. Then plant the culture. She, growing up, fills the frame. The branches that extend beyond it are cut off. The plant is taken care of, regularly watering and cutting.

Plants

Not from any plant you can create a green sculpture. The suitable should have the following characteristics:

• Resistance to winter frosts;
• Unpretentious to growing conditions;
• The presence of replacement shoots;
• Specific shape of the crown;
• Slow growth.

These properties are different plants:

• Western thuja;
• Common spruce;
• Alpine currant;
• Small-leaved elm;
• Cotoneaster shining.

Of course, 3D shapes can be created from other plants. And the named cultures are most suitable for climatic conditions of the middle belt of Russia.

Today, many owners of their own garden areas use topiary landscaping. Step-by-step descriptions of the creation of figures we will consider further.

Wireframe method

The necessary frame can be made of wire 2-3 mm or purchased in a special store. The finished frame has gaps to penetrate inside. From above there is a cover for access to the interior of the sculpture, so that it is convenient to fill it with earth substrate or moss. By the way, before filling, the moss is soaked in water for 30 minutes.

When filling the frame with a substrate, you need to make holes, which are planted by climbing plants, grasses or succulents. For this perfect fit:

• ivy;
• Grapes;
• Stone rose;
• loosestrife;
• saxifrage.

Creating a topiary of climbing crops, plants with a clod of earth are transplanted from a plastic container into a metal frame, and the shoots are spread over a rack and fastened with paper clips. To facilitate large topiary figures inside put bags with balls of polystyrene.

Taking care of the topiary, it is watered, cut, pinched. For winter, the figure is brought into a cool room or simply covered with a warm box.

Express Topiary

The specialists simplified the process of creating topiary and proposed the following scheme:

1. In the spring, climbing plants (ivy, hops, grapes) are planted in the ground.
2. Above the planting set the frame.
3. As the plants grow, their branches are distributed along the frame, fixed and cut.
4. By the end of summer, the frame skeleton is completely covered by green shoots.
5. Further care consists in watering and pruning plants.

Classical technology

To create topiary on the traditional technology will require a lot of patience, imagination, as well as the presence of sharp garden tools.

It is better to start with the simplest geometric forms: a sphere, a cone, a cube. Cutting plants is best in March-April or in summer. In the autumn, the haircut is not recommended, it will undermine the plant before winter.

The scheme for creating the figure is as follows:

1. A shrub or an adult tree is selected with strong roots and a lush crown. It can be spruce, hawthorn, blackblood.
2. On the earth's surface a shape is drawn under a tree, for example a square, if a topiary figure is created in the form of a cube.
3. In the corners of the square, put racks or sticks and fasten the slats. This will be an indicative framework.
4. Tapestry scissors cut the plant, giving an approximate outline. It is better to start from above, then treat the sides.
5. Check the sides for an evenness and gradually trim them.
6. The pruner cuts a small protruding branch.

This creates simple figures for the garden.

Complex geometric models

The ball is considered a complex figure in the topiary art. It can be obtained from a cube by cutting its edges. Best for this purpose are suitable: thuja, barberry, yew, boxwood and other plants. So, for example, you can create a topiary figure "Earth globe", using plants that differ in shades of green.

Cylindrical contours are obtained from western thui, larch, irgi, linden. To obtain such a figure, follow the following scheme:

1. A circle is drawn on the ground.
2. Install the pegs of wood.
3. Cut out the cylinder.

To create a conical shape, dig in three poles and fasten them in an imaginary top.

Then you can start the erection of pyramidal forms, spirals, longlines. Having learned to make them, they move on to the creation of figures of people and animals.

Traditional technology using a frame

By creating topiary shapes, the framework can be used to simplify the process of cutting out the desired forms from plants. To do this, you need a removable frame of metal, which is installed on top of the tree. Such a technique is usually used by beginner topiaryusy.

The plant develops in a reticulate frame, and the master only needs to prune the outstretched branches. Once the crown is formed, the frame is removed. However, this is not always easy to do, often the tree fuses with its "frame." Remove the frame must be very carefully, so as not to damage the crown.

Artificial Topiary

Not everyone can create natural topiary. A great alternative to them are the topiary figures from artificial grass. Their advantages are obvious:

• Do not need constant care;
• Independence from climatic conditions;
• Mobility - easy to transfer to any place;
• A remarkable appearance, indistinguishable from natural compositions;
• Affordable cost.

The process of care for artificial figures implies a regular cleaning of dust and snow.

Elements of the figure are fixed on the wire frame. Simulated leaves and green tissue are used. The master's fantasy in this case is not limited to anything. You can install such a creation on the street or in the room.

The art of the topiary is extraordinarily diverse and attractive. No wonder it is gaining more and more fans. Starting with green figurines in pots, you can go to the real garden masterpieces.