Standards and Topiaries lend themselves to container and open ground planting. In both formal and informal garden designs they are useful for framing a view or an entrance, for using as a focal point, for creating a formal atmosphere through the use of symmetry, or for adding an element of strong architectural emphasis.  

The word “topiary” comes from the Latin word “topiarus” which means landscape gardener. Topiary is the art of keeping the landscape gardener busy with the cliping and training required to trim the plants into desired shapes. This art has been going in and out of fashion and trend for at least 2000 years.  Although the art of Topiary was generally practiced on large estates where formal gardening was the mode of choice, with the advent of large tracts of land being divided and sold off, it went into decline. Today, however, it has made a comeback as home-owners seek to enhance their gardens with plant sculpture.  A Standard is defined as: a tree or shrub that is trained to have one central leader or stem and a rounded head of branches. Standards are trained as young plants; the central stem is braced against a stake, forcing it to grow straight and tall. Lower branches and shoots are removed and the remaining uper branches are sheared frequently, to shape and to encourage fullness.  There are many plants that lend themselves to being Topiary specimens. Essentially, it is more desirable that the plant is evergreen, that the leaves are fairly small and interesting, that it produces a seasonal flower and, most important, that it responds well to constant pruning.  People imagine that the Art of Topiary is time-consuming and only for those who have that special artistic flair – but that is a myth! Once the shape has been formed initially, it is merely a question of giving it the odd haircut. It is a garden task that can be done with secateurs in one hand – whilst the other hand can hold a glass of chilled Chardonnay!  And as for that artistic flair, you never know until you try. Unleash that inner creativity and give it a go! You may be pleasantly surprised. And at the very worst, you can always let the plant re-grow, like a bad haircut!  

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