How to Train a Spiral Tree Topiary
A spiral topiary is a living art form grown using ivy or other evergreens that are typically dense and fast growing. They are grown over pre-shaped frames where they are trained to grow into a shape of your choice to produce a unique and decorative design. Pre-shaped topiary forms are available in spirals, globes and even animal shapes. After making your topiary, and as the plant grows, you keep winding the runners around the frame until your spiral tree topiary is nice and full. At that point, you simply trim the spiral tree topiary to keep it in shape. Your ivy spiral tree topiary should fill out in just a few months. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Spiral topiary form
- 10 to 12-inch pot
- Loose gravel or terra cotta pieces
- Potting soil
- Green florist wire
- Green cloth-covered wire
- Wire cutters
- Ivy, 4 or 5 small plants
- Live moss
- 4 hyacinth sticks, 16 inch
- Greening pins
- Gardening gloves
- Damp rag
- Scissors
- Watering can
- Houseplant fertilizer
Instructions
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1
Place pieces of a broken terra cotta pot or some loose gravel in the bottom of your 10- or 12-inch pot; this allows for drainage for the plant. Pour in good quality potting soil to 1 inch from the top of the pot. Tamp down the soil with your hand.
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2
Insert the spiral tree topiary form into the soil and center it in the pot so the base is level with the soil but sets firmly in place. Insert hyacinth sticks in the soil around the central spine of the topiary and wire them to the form with the green florist wire. This will help anchor the topiary.
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3
Plant the ivy in the soil around the base of the topiary form, using your hands to gently dig a space for the root. Pack the soil down on top of each plant. Wind the long trailers from each plant around the spiral topiary form. If necessary, attach the ivy runners with the cloth-covered wire. As the ivy grows, continue training the runners to grow in a spiral shape around the form.
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4
Layer live moss around the topiary base to hide the soil and form a base for the ivy runners. Insert green pins into the moss to secure it to the plant. The moss will also provide much-needed moisture for the ivy plants.
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5
Water the spiral topiary about once a week and apply houseplant fertilizer as recommended on the package. Clean the ivy leaves with a damp rag to prevent dust buildup and to discourage pests.
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6
Clip and trim the ivy runners on your spiral tree topiary if they get too long to wind back into the form. Put the cuttings in water if you want to root them later into another topiary plant.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear gardening gloves to protect your hands.
References
- Photo Credit ivy leaf image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com
