Without trees, our planet would quickly deteriorate. So we owe them a lot. They mean so much to so many people that they are often brought inside the home or the yard and cherished, attention paid to every day.
If you’re looking for some of the best types of trees to bring into your home then maybe you should consider topiary trees. Yes, the type of trees that are decorative and that can be trimmed to suit your style.
What Are Topiary Trees?
Topiary trees are usually actually bushes but small trees can also be topiaries. What makes them what they are isn’t that they are a species of tree but rather that they can be carved and trimmed and shaped.
So really, they aren’t considered a topiary tree until they have been shaped. The best part about these trees is that they can be trimmed into a neat hedge or used as a way to express yourself as an artist.
Artificial Topiary Trees Vs. Real Topiary Trees
If you have been shopping for topiary trees then you’ve probably noticed that there are two different kinds of topiaries available. Real ones and artificial ones. Both of these make good decorations for your home.
They also each have their own benefits. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each so you can decide which one is right for your home.
Artificial Topiary Trees
Pros
- Looks perfect
- Highly customizable
- Can be found in any style
- No cleanup or maintenance
Cons
- Can look fake
- Doesn’t have the smell
Real Topiary Trees
Pros
- Smells amazing
- Looks authentic
- Adds freshness
- Good for environment
Cons
- Higher maintenance
- Is what it is
Best Topiary Plants To Grow
There are a lot of real topiary tree options for you to choose from. These trees are safe to trim and can be shaped without harming the plant itself. Perhaps one of them can suit your needs for a topiary plant.
Rosemary
A rosemary topiary plant is a rosemary plant that has been shaped. Rosemary is a hearty plant that isn’t easy to kill when clipping so it’s a good option. It smells wonderful and it appears delicate, unlike most topiaries.
With the rosemary plant, it’s important not to overwater it or it can get root rot. Even when not used as a topiary, you’ll need to prune it regularly, this is why it makes such a great topiary because it will be trimmed anyway.
Fig
Figs also make decent topiaries for those with green thumbs. They aren’t a popular topiary but they can be used if you already have a fig tree and want to trim it. The problem with fig trees is that they have rather large leaves.
So actually shaping the fig tree doesn’t work out as well as those with smaller leaves but since they can be trimmed. However, you won’t be able to make crazy shapes as you would with a bush or something similar.
Lavender
Lavender is another plant that you won’t be able to turn into a lion or a Michaelangelo statue. However, it is a good way to practice your topiary trimming skills as the lavender can come back even if you trim too much.
Not to mention simply having a lavender plant around is very beneficial. Lavender itself doesn’t just smell wonderful but it offers many aromatherapy benefits, which is why it is such a popular essential oil.
Boxwood
Boxwood is one of the most popular types of topiary plants. Boxwoods are used as hedges that can be shaped in just about any way that you like. So they are perfect for beginner gardeners and experts alike.
Boxwood is also one of the most fulfilling plants to shape. It starts out very solid, so you have a lot to work with, so it’s like you are truly sculpting your very own work of art that is gorgeous and living.
Gold Child
Gold Child is a type of ivy that has golden trim around each leaf. Again, since the leaves are quite large, it doesn’t make the best precisely-shaped topiary. However, it can be trimmed to look even more beautiful.
You can trim certain leaves to simply make the ivy look cleaner, or control how it grows by trimming it in a certain direction. This can be a fun beginner topiary plant, but it won’t suffice for those interested in topiary long-term.
Yew Bush
Yew is one of the best topiary plants. It comes ready to shape and can live for a long time. It works perfectly for beginners and is still a favorite of those who have been shaping for decades. You can’t go wrong with it.
The bush will need to be pruned even when not shaping it and you should watch the soil. If it gets too soggy, then the yew bush may not do well and end up with a fungal infection. So pay attention to this beauty.
Arborvitae Shrub
The arborvitae shrub isn’t the most popular tree for shaping, but it is low-maintenance. So if you choose it, then you don’t have to worry too much about taking care of it otherwise, letting you focus on trimming.
It will need to be checked after each frost to be kept healthy. But other than that, it is an easy plant to care for. You can really make this tree look gorgeous and it is recommended to use them lined up in a row.
Holly
Holly trees are ideal for trimming. You should shape them a couple of times a year for best results and watch that soggy soil. As you have probably put together by now, topiary trees are susceptible to being overwatered.
This can be easily taken care of by not overwatering them as rainwater rarely does damage unless there is a flood. Other than water, holly trees should not be any problem at all and are absolutely gorgeous.
Laurel
You may call this the yanny tree these days, but it is officially known as Laurel nobilis. This is another tree with larger leaves, making trimming it more about cleaning it up than actually shaping it.
It does need to be watered deeply every week and fertilizing it is important. However, you should always let it dry out in-between waterings, but you have probably put that together by now. So have fun!
Topiary Tree Projects You Can DIY
If you’re looking for topiary tree projects, both real and artificial, then this list is sure to inspire you. These are projects that you can do right at home with your new topiary trees that don’t involve intense shaping.
Christmas Topiary
This Christmas topiary is made from a tomato cage and it is perfect! All you have to do is get your tomato cage with the pointy part up and then wrap it with artificial garland. It will then look just like a trimmed tree.
Decorate it with glittered pinecones, Christmas lights, and whatever else suits you. This tree has been placed in a metal bucket which really worked well and looks perfect. But you can plant it however you like.
Heart-Shaped Topiary
This topiary created by Craftberry Bush is stunning. She took dollar store Valentine’s wreaths and made them into pretty little heart-shaped topiaries. Of course, you could even use real topiaries to do this.
If you can find heart-shaped artificial ones then go for that. If not, then feel free to work with what you have and make your own heart. Use smaller, thinner ones or take your chances and shape something thick.
Round Wire Topiary
As far as simple and sophisticated goes, Hearth and Vine have one of the best topiary ideas yet. You can use a variety of plants to create a wire topiary. Vines work out best as they can be wrapped easily.
While Hearth and Vine used a round wire, you can shape the wire any way that you like. Then use any type of pot to create your ideal look. This is highly customizable and looks great no matter what you choose.
Lemon Topiary
Have you ever considered creating a fake lemon tree? Well, Bird’s Party has the most gorgeous lemon tree that will inspire you. She paired it with lemon farmhouse decor and how could you not fall in love?
Lemon trees are actually a good tree to start growing indoors before moving them outside. However, if you like, you can buy or build a fake one from faux lemons and use artificial leaves to create your perfect tree.
Olive Tree Topiary
Are olive trees one of your favorite trees? Good! This love tree by Beauty for Ashes is stunning! All you need to create this in the way that the original creator did is tie two olive branches together and plant them.
If you want it to last forever, then you’ll have to use fake branches. But if you’re okay with the fresh decoration for a limited time then go with real branches if you can get your hands on them. Olive trees are amazing!
Pumpkin Topiary
These pumpkin topiaries by The Latin Next Door are amazing too. If you want a topiary but don’t like a lot of green then this should be perfect for you. It works well in any season, but specifically autumn.
To create them, just stack your faux pumpkins up, paint them, and add the greenery in between. From there, the details are all up to you. Just don’t forget to use chalk paint as it works best for this project.
Textured Potted Topiaries
Delicious and DIY will be our last stop here and we really don’t need anything else to inspire us. Their gorgeous potted topiaries will suit any space, especially if you paint the plant to suit your decor.
You can buy texture paint for this project. If you do, you will have to use them one at a time in any design style that you choose. Feel free to copy this tutorial exactly, from the same colors to pattern for your topiary tree.
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