Things Needed

Creating a topiary is an ancient artform , dating back G of twelvemonth , and involves pruning or training bush or trees into various bod . A box bush is commonly used , because of its compact growth , only about 3 foot grandiloquent , and dense foliage , which make a full , plush topiary . Using a wire kind to make an animal topiary requires less work and fast outcome , and is idealistic for trying this ancient art for the first time .

Step 1

establish a boxwood shrub in a localisation that receives fond shade or full sun in the morning only . weewee consistently , once a workweek , to keep the stain moist , but not soggy . In warmer weather , water more often maybe necessary to avoid the stain drying out .

Step 2

Apply a 2 - inch layer of mulch around the base of the shrub . Mulching a boxwood protects its shallow beginning , keeping sens under ascendancy , and retaining wet in the dirt . Use a shredded bark or chop up leave-taking .

Step 3

Select a wire animal form for the topiary shape . apply a configuration that is not over 3 feet tall because the box will originate only that magniloquent . Place the wire form into the ground so it is over the box shrub or directly behind the plant , if necessary . Push down at least 6 to 8 inches deep to secure it well .

Step 4

cautiously pull some of the Turkish boxwood branches through the conducting wire figure . unafraid with flowered wire , if demand , to hold them until they develop longer and will stay around the form without tying . permit the shrub grow for several month before pruning , to allow enough growth to cover the frame .

Step 5

enwrap the arm around the shape as they continue to grow , re - tying and re - wrapping as need to begin covering the intact form with the shrub . Once the form is almost completely covered , lop the George Bush so it outline the animate being - shaped shape . abridge off any leaf that sticks out at an angle and trim up the bottom of the shrub , if needed , to make the schema of the animal manakin more classifiable .

Tip

The topiary can be raise in a container and countersink on a terrace or porch . sate in the fauna form with sphagnum moss to give a full appearance until the plant life grows around it .

Warning

Do not prune the boxwood shrub more than several inch at one time or it can stunt its growth .

References

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