Useful Information On Ivy Topiary

By Kathleen Stone


Topiary can be defined as a style of ornamental gardening. People who specialize in this field are referred to as topiarists. The work of topiarists is to produce or create sculptures out of a wide range of plants. This is attained by weaving, trimming, and training plants. The sculptures made vary a lot in size from gigantic trees to small herbs the size of a coffee mug. This is worth knowing about ivy topiary.

The word topiary originated from the Latin language. Its translation in English means an ornamental gardener. Topiary is an activity that people have been doing since ancient Roman and Greek Empires. It dates back to as far as 2000 years. Before spreading to Europe during Renaissance, it was practiced largely in Greece. Another era of spreading of this art was the Victorian era.

With the right kind of tools and skills, topiary can be done on any plant species. However, plants that produce the best works of art are shrubs and sub-shrubs. These plants are preferable because they are evergreen and they grow in a manner that favors the art. They form dense covers of foliage with their small leaves and needles, which is just perfect. The main plant varieties used include yew, myrtle, privet rosemary, jasmine, bay laurel, holly, English ivy, box, ficus, and cypress.

This practice needs a lot of practice and skill. Besides these two, there are other factors which determine whether a person will succeed in this industry or not. Choice of plant to use is one of the major factors. It is worth noting that the aforementioned shrubs and sub-shrubs grow in certain soils and climatic conditions. This means that the type of soil and weather must be considered greatly.

Secondly, it is important to use the right kind of tools. There are different tools that are used and each tool has its own specific purpose. Initial cuts are best when done using shears with long handles. The blades of the shears should have a slight angle so that they can be used to cut using either side of the blade.

For parts that need a detailed focus, a pair of secateurs should be used. Good secateurs is one that can be used with one hand. Often these ones have a spring at the handles. Other tools for use in this work exist. All tools should be kept clean to avoid spreading disease from plant to plant. Also, they should be disinfected and oiled to stay in good shape. All edged tools must be sharpened for efficiency.

To achieve better results, a cutting guide should be used at all times. A cutting guide tells one which areas need to be cut and which ones should remain uncut. Part of achieving good results also involves cutting at the right time. The twigs should not be left to overgrow and they should also not be cut while still too young.

Finally, one is advised to choose a plant with a suitable shape and configuration. This means that the shape of the plant chosen should be close in shape to the sculpture that one intends to attain. For example, a tree that is shaped like a triangle can easily be used to produce a pentagon shape.




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