Topiary is an art form that combines horticulture with creativity. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner, topiary offers endless possibilities to enhance your garden's aesthetic appeal. The Plant Company has a wide range of plants suited for topiary and we can easily source topiary trees and balls to incorporate into your landscape.
Muehlenbeckia complexa, commonly known as Maidenhair Vine, Creeping Wire Vine, or Pohuehue, is a low growing groundcover plant or climbing vine. This...
Pittosporum Wrinkled Blue, commonly known as Kohuhu, is a small, NZ native tree that grows vigorously, producing small, silver-blue, wavy-edged...
Alnus cordata, commonly known as the Italian Alder, is a deciduous tree that features glossy, bright green leaves. As autumn progresses the leaves...
Buxus harlandii Richard, commonly known as Little Boxwood, is a spectacular variety that grows to about 1 m tall and the same wide. It has charming...
Buxus Graham Blandy is renowned for its columnar growth habit and dark green foliage. The small leaves are held densely off short stems as it grows...
Buxus Green Gem grows with a globular shape and doesn’t need as much clipping as other Buxus varieties. New leaves emerge light green and are a great...
Buxus sempervirens, commonly known as Boxwood or Box Hedge, is commonly used in English and formal gardens as a low hedge. This evergreen produces...
Buxus sempervirens variegata features small, mid-green leaves with cream-white edges on new growth, which age to become a darker green. It grows to...
Buxus sempervirens Silver Beauty, commonly known as Box Hedge, features small leaves that are dark green with irregular, cream-silver margins, and...
Camellia Jean May is renowned for its double, soft pink flowers. The flowers are mildly fragrant and produced through spring and autumn. The...
“Boulevard “is an attractive conifer grown for its colourful foliage and attractive form. It grows with a conical shape bearing soft, silver-blue...
Coprosma Cappuccino, commonly known as the Upright or Brown Coprosma, features fine, chocolate-brown foliage. This NZ native typically grows to 1.5 m...
Cupressus sempervirens Stricta, commonly known as the Italian Pencil Cypress Tree, is a conifer that features dense, dark green foliage, and grows...
Ficus Tuffi, also known as Tuffy Fig or Ficus Tuffy, is an evergreen shrub that features leaves that are glossy and light green when young and mature...
Juniperus chinensis Kaizuka, commonly known as the Hollywood Juniper tree or Torulosa Juniper, is an upright conifer with an oriental style. It bares...
Laurus nobilis, commonly known as Laurel or Bay Tree, is an evergreen tree that features leaves that are glossy green, aromatic, and somewhat...
Ilex crenata Convexa, commonly known as the Japanese Holly, is a dense, multi-stemmed, evergreen shrub that carries small and glossy, dark green...
Ligustrum japonicum Rotundifolium, commonly known as Japanese Privet, grows as a small, compact, rounded bush and carries glossy, dark green leaves...
Lonicera nitida, commonly known as the Boxleaf Honeysuckle, is a hardy shrub often used instead of Buxus as a hedge. It carries dense, upright...
Olive Ascolano is grown for its high-quality fruit. The large, green fruit have a delicate, mild taste and can be squeezed to make a rich, tasty oil...
Olive El Greco is grown for its high yields of quality fruit. It carries large fruit that are often squeezed to produce an oil with a distinct...
Olive Frantoio carries large fruit that are often squeezed to produce an oil with a distinct, pungent, yet fruity taste or they can be eaten fresh...
Olea J5 is a variety of Olive tree that produces high yields of large fruit. The fruit are often squeezed to produce an oil with a distinct, fruity...
Olea Koroneiki is a variety of Olive tree grown for its high yields of small fruit. The fruit are often squeezed to produce an oil with a distinct...
Topiary is the practice of shaping trees and shrubs into intricate designs, often resembling animals, geometric shapes, or abstract forms. This ancient gardening technique dates back to Roman times and has continued to evolve, captivating gardeners and landscape artists worldwide.
Topiary is not just about shaping plants; it's about creating living sculptures that add a touch of elegance and artistry to any garden. These meticulously trimmed plants can serve as focal points, borders, or standalone pieces that bring a sense of whimsy and creativity to outdoor spaces.
Selecting the right plants is crucial for successful topiary. In New Zealand, several plant species are popular choices for topiary due to their growth habits and hardiness.
There are several trees that are well suited to topiary in NZ.
Topiary balls are a classic and versatile design that can complement any garden style. They can be used in formal gardens, as pathway markers, or in pots to add structure and formality.
Once you've chosen your plants, the next step is to design and shape them into your desired form. This process requires patience, precision, and a few essential tools.
Tools You Will Need
Basic Topiary Techniques
Advanced Topiary Techniques
For those looking to create more complex designs, consider using wire frames or moulds as guides. These can be particularly helpful for intricate shapes like animals or abstract forms.
Proper maintenance is essential for keeping your topiary looking its best year-round. Here are some tips to ensure your plants thrive:
New Zealand is home to some of the most breathtaking topiary gardens. Here are a few examples to inspire your own creations:
Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.