Garden Topiary Frames

Topiary is the delightful art of creating sculptures in trees and shrubs. This much loved European art form date back to ancient Rome.

While it doesn't take an Edward Scissorhands to create the stunning, lush creations of topiary, it does take talent and years to perfect the craft unless you use frames!

Regardless of your skill level, topiary frames will make you look like a pro gardener

Topiary Frames How To's

• For years of carefree enjoyment look from frames made of sturdy and galvanized wire with spot welded construction.

• Soak sphagnum moss or green moss in water with a weak solution of fertiizer until it is pliable.

• Stuff the moss in the frame until it is fully packed.

• Secure the moss with clear craft or fishing line.

• Moss-only topiary are beautiful and require no care other than infrequent touch ups but if you want the wow effect, add plants, ivy or other vines.

• Chose your plants and make individual hole in the moss to receive the roots. Leave as much of the soil on the roots as possible. Add moss as necessary.

• Secure the plants to the frame with flower wire.

• Provide the nutrients, water, light and pest control applicable to the vegetation you selected.

• Have fun with training.  Use flower wires to train the plants' growth direction and don't forget to add some sculpting to your design.

• Plants can be easily replaced if they fail to thrive or changed with the season. Don't be afraid to add blooming flowers in the spring.

• Placement is everything.  Put a giraffe next to a trellis, a mermaid beside the pool, a sleepy cat on the patio or a boxer to watch over your roses.

Best Plants for Topiary Frames

• Baby's tears
• Begonia
• Boxwood
• Climbing Hydrangea
• Creeping fig
• Cypress Vine
• English Ivy
• Fleece vine
• Hemlock
• Lavender
• Myrtle
• Pine
• Rosemary
• Yew.

Don't limit yourself to the above list. Use your sense of color and whimsy to explore the wonderful world of topiary.

Lion topiary credit
Bunny topiary credit
Epcot topiary credit

How to Garden in Containers

Just because you don't have chunk of land doesn't mean you can't have a great garden; just put it in a pot!

Whether your plants need mobility due to living in an apartment or living in your office or you just like the aesthetics of container gardening, pots have come a long way in design and functionality.

But don't rely on what you can buy; using your imagination almost anything is fair game as long as it has a drain hole or two. Before you toss that old chair, wheel barrel, kitchen sink or boot think: what could I plant in that.

Container gardens aren't just for city dwellers. They make a great artist addition to any garden. Don't forget hanging baskets and windowsill gardens to add some good old Southern charm to your home.

There aren't many rules to container gardening but be aware of a few:

• Remember your contained plants can't go searching (with their roots) for water or food. They will need more time and attention than yard plants so before you set a single plant in the pot, commit to its care.If you select a large barrel-type pot, use a long stick to check for over or under watering. The stick will also help aerate the soil, just don't poke too much and upset your roots.

• You will want to replace the container soil, or at least the top portion of it, yearly. If you grow annuals, start afresh every year, otherwise you can remove all the loose soil and replace around the perennials.

• A slow release fertilizer works best in containers. Use the correct soil for the plant. Some plants are acid lovers, other demand an alkaline soil. Add some organic materials occasionally but don't over fertilizer; there's nowhere for excess to go.

• Don't mix edible with non-edible plants. Some plants are poisonous, other just change the taste of your edible bounty. Don't take a chance on gastric upset.

The Art of Container Gardening

Container gardening is art so let it bring out the Picasso in you.

• Give it a trial run - lay out your plants before taking them out of their little containers to get the best design possible.

• Color it pretty - contrast colored plants make a more drama statement. Likewise, a single color in a variety of species and shades will capture the attention.

• Keep it balanced - big pots need big plants and vice versa. Rule of thumb is the plants should be 1 ½ times the height of the container. Balance the tall plants with shorter and trailing plants.

• Find a superstar - one plant should be a total knockout and the focal point of your creation. Find that plant first and find complementary ones to work around it.

• Pick potmates - when your sharing a pot, you better get along with your potmates. Choice plants with similar light, soil and watering requirements. Otherwise, one will be drooping while the other is thriving. Planting cactus and iris together will never work.

Now go get your container and start planting!