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Down the Gardening Hole: How to Effectively Plan Your Very Own Topiary Garden

If you’re looking for a way to make your yard stand out from the rest or searching for the perfect ornamental piece, topiary gardening is the way to go. It’s completely normal to want a customized lawn, and topiary just happens to be a great way you can go about doing just that.

Topiary gardens have been around since ancient times, and are still quite popular today. you may not see elephants in front lawns, but any geometrically shaped plants are a form of topiary art. Here are a few tips to help you create a stylish, whimsical paradise right in your own lawn.

Take Inspiration from the Professionals
Inspiration for your garden can come from just about anywhere in the world. Some of the most beautiful topiary gardens in the world are at Drummond Castle in Perthshire, Scotland, and at Levens Hall in England’s lake district. You may not have the time nor the tools to create such massive art, but there’s nothing wrong with taking some inspiration.

Choose Your Plant
Landscape planting is an art. So much so that that landscaping and hardscaping professionals often have a bachelors or masters degree in their practice. Before you start a topiary garden, it’s important to consult landscaping services to ensure you’re working with the right plants for the job. Some of the most common shrubs used for topiary art are boxwoods and cypresses. Maintenance will depend on the plant you choose, so make sure you’re doing thorough research before you have any landscape planting done around your outdoor walkways.

Gather Your Tools
If you’re going for larger topiary pieces, sharp hedge clippers are usually the way to go. On the other hand, small pruning shears are going to be best for smaller plants. Before you take on shaping, you need to consider the advantages and disadvantages of the tools at hand. Long handled shears are great for snipping the odd, unruly branch, but you’ll want something smaller and lighter to truly get shaping.

Whether you start a huge garden or just shape a few pieces to adorn your front porch, these tips should have you starting a beautiful work of garden art in no time.