Topiary can be defined as a style of ornamental gardening. People who specialize in this field are referred to as topiarists. The work of topiarists is to produce or create sculptures out of a wide range of plants. This is attained by weaving, trimming, and training plants. The sculptures made vary a lot in size from gigantic trees to small herbs the size of a coffee mug. This is worth knowing about ivy topiary.
The word topiary originated from Latin. It roughly translates to ornamental gardener in English. People from ancient civilizations like Roman Empire and Greek engaged in this practice. According to historical evidence the practice emerged about 2000 years back. Topiary is assumed to have emerged from ancient Greek before spreading to the rest of Europe. It is believed to have spread during the Renaissance period. In Europe, it spread more in the Victorian era.
With the right kind of tools and skills, topiary can be done on any plant species. However, plants that produce the best works of art are shrubs and sub-shrubs. These plants are preferable because they are evergreen and they grow in a manner that favors the art. They form dense covers of foliage with their small leaves and needles, which is just perfect. The main plant varieties used include yew, myrtle, privet rosemary, jasmine, bay laurel, holly, English ivy, box, ficus, and cypress.
Topiary as an art, requires great practice and skill to master. However, producing successful sculptures often depends on multiple factors. Choice of plant is one of the major factors that determine if one produces good designs or not. When choosing a plant, one should know that not all of them do well in under all climatic and soil conditions. As such, the choice of plant should be based on soil type and climate available.
The second factor of consideration is tools. One should use suitable tools. Different tools are used in this work and each is applied specifically in a certain conditions. Shears with longer handles are best used in making initial cuts. The shears used must have a slight angle to enable them to cut from either side.
More detailed work should be done using a pair of secateurs. The secateurs should have a spring at the handle to allow for handling with one hand. There are several other tools. These tools should be kept clean at all times, especially after use. Antibacterial kitchen cleaner should be used to disinfect the tools to avoid spreading diseases to other plants. Oiling of the tools should also be done regularly as well as sharpening.
A cutting guide must always be used so as to achieve better results. The guide tells one what parts are to be cut and which ones should not. For better results, the cutting must also be done at the appropriate time. Twigs are never to be cut while too young or left to overgrow.
Lastly, it is important to pick a plant that is most suited for the shape one wants to achieve. The plant should have a general resemblance of the shape that is being aimed at. For instance, if one is trying to cut a pentagon into the plant, the plant should have a general triangle shape.
The word topiary originated from Latin. It roughly translates to ornamental gardener in English. People from ancient civilizations like Roman Empire and Greek engaged in this practice. According to historical evidence the practice emerged about 2000 years back. Topiary is assumed to have emerged from ancient Greek before spreading to the rest of Europe. It is believed to have spread during the Renaissance period. In Europe, it spread more in the Victorian era.
With the right kind of tools and skills, topiary can be done on any plant species. However, plants that produce the best works of art are shrubs and sub-shrubs. These plants are preferable because they are evergreen and they grow in a manner that favors the art. They form dense covers of foliage with their small leaves and needles, which is just perfect. The main plant varieties used include yew, myrtle, privet rosemary, jasmine, bay laurel, holly, English ivy, box, ficus, and cypress.
Topiary as an art, requires great practice and skill to master. However, producing successful sculptures often depends on multiple factors. Choice of plant is one of the major factors that determine if one produces good designs or not. When choosing a plant, one should know that not all of them do well in under all climatic and soil conditions. As such, the choice of plant should be based on soil type and climate available.
The second factor of consideration is tools. One should use suitable tools. Different tools are used in this work and each is applied specifically in a certain conditions. Shears with longer handles are best used in making initial cuts. The shears used must have a slight angle to enable them to cut from either side.
More detailed work should be done using a pair of secateurs. The secateurs should have a spring at the handle to allow for handling with one hand. There are several other tools. These tools should be kept clean at all times, especially after use. Antibacterial kitchen cleaner should be used to disinfect the tools to avoid spreading diseases to other plants. Oiling of the tools should also be done regularly as well as sharpening.
A cutting guide must always be used so as to achieve better results. The guide tells one what parts are to be cut and which ones should not. For better results, the cutting must also be done at the appropriate time. Twigs are never to be cut while too young or left to overgrow.
Lastly, it is important to pick a plant that is most suited for the shape one wants to achieve. The plant should have a general resemblance of the shape that is being aimed at. For instance, if one is trying to cut a pentagon into the plant, the plant should have a general triangle shape.
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