14 Topiary Plants That You Must Know About

Topiary plants are the types of plants that can be sculpted and trimmed into a variety of shapes and sizes. You can use them as a decorative element in gardens and landscapes, as well as other indoor and outdoor displays.

From trees, shrubs, and flowering plants, to vines and ground covers, a wide array of plant types can be pruned to become topiary artwork. This post contains a list of such plants that you can use to decorate your surroundings.

Different Kinds of Topiary Plants

1. Boxwood Shrubs

Boxwood shrubs or Buxus sempervirens are attractive topiary trees that are popular in gardens and landscapes around the world. You would see them used for so many reasons, as they are known to raise the aesthetics of borders, this is because so many people tend to get creative with these greens, due to the fact that it gives them the ability to be doing so. 

These hardy evergreen shrubs can be grown as hedges, foundation plantings, or shapes for topiary sculptures. Known for having glossy green or yellow-green foliage and a symmetrical growth habit, ball boxwood topiary requires proper pruning and care to maintain their shape. Additionally, they offer tolerance to a wide range of adverse conditions.

2. Japanese Holly Shrubs

The Japanese holly shrub is an evergreen topiary plant that should be seriously considered by homeowners and landscapers alike. Known for its dark glossy green leaves with fine-toothed edges and compact growth, this shrub makes the perfect addition to any garden or landscape. 

This is the type of tree that requires minimal care making it an ideal choice for novice gardeners. It can easily shape into some topiary such as balls, cubes, and even more complex designs. These are the types of designs you would see around houses or around some parks, because they grow in a bushy structure, and it is quite easy to trim them and give some shapes. 

3. Cypress

Cypress is an evergreen topiary that is often placed like a potted plant with a unique shape and texture that makes it ideal for use in landscaping projects. The small, stiff needles of the cypress provide a lush green backdrop to any outdoor space and can be trimmed into various shapes such as bullets, spheres, cone topiary, cubes, and pyramids. 

Not limited to outdoor topiary planting areas either, cypress topiary also works great in indoor spaces when planted in pots or terrariums. Their needle like structure is what makes it aesthetic, however, when you are shaping them, remember to water it well and place it in a location where it will receive direct sunlight and in a soil that is rich in nutrients. 

4. Dwarf Alberta Spruce

The dwarf Alberta spruce is a popular topiary ball plant with an impressive profile and unique, eye-catching properties. With its rigid pyramidal shape, subtle reddish hue, and lush green foliage it truly stands out in the garden. 

One of the benefits of this species is the fact that it’s very hardy. Additionally, no further shearing or trimming of the branches is needed since its form will stay as is without such practices. When you make sure that all the necessary requirements are given for this plant, then it will thrive and grow from spring to fall, such requirements are acidic soil that is also a well draining one, direct sunlight, and it should be fertilized in the beginning of its growing season. 

5. Arborvitae Shrubs

This is the shrub that is also known botanically as Thuja occidentalis, arborvitae shrubs are a popular topiary plant due to their dense and evergreen foliage, hardy nature, and ability to withstand sunlight, pests, and harsh climates. Keeping the latter in mind, you should know that it may be attacked by different pests, such as mites, scales, and even some bag worms at times, hence you should take into consideration and keep them off so that they wouldn’t stress your plant. 

These shrubs have become increasingly popular in home landscaping and can be groomed into whimsical shapes. Once established arborvitae is easy to care for with minimal maintenance requirements. On another note, they boast an advantage over other plants in that deer tends to avoid them.

6. Yew Bushes

Yew bushes are evergreen topiary plants commonly used in landscaping for their low maintenance and versatility. They require minimal maintenance as they are generally hardy and tolerant of a range of soil types and climates. 

A bonus is that the foliage maintains its deep green color throughout the seasons making them perfect for use as hedges, accents, or even topiary art pieces. If you are not a professional in the trimming process to set this topiary, then you can buy it with the condition of buying it trimmed already, but if you want to work on your creativity, then you can trim it on your own too. 

7. Lavender Herbs

Lavender herbs, also known as English lavender, are attractive, fragrant topiary plants best grown in hot and sunny locations. They may be cultivated in a variety of mediums and soils, but for optimal growth prefer soil with a slightly alkaline pH level. Because of the structure that these herbs grow in, that is why one can aim to trim it perfectly well and shape it as a topiary, that would grow in an oval or circular tree top structure. 

Boasting several useful properties such as being anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal gives this prime herb many medicinal values. On another note, it also has oil in the sap, and this oil can be used as a medical topical or ingested remedy, which is why this plant is known for its beneficial backgrounds.

8. Privet Shrubs

Privet shrubs are an evergreen, deciduous plant that works well for topiary applications, when you provide it with the right conditions such as bright sun, and sandy soil, that it is when the plant will thrive in spring and summer, and you can trim it to a shape. With its hardy nature and dense foliage, the privet is an ideal choice for topiary sculpture as it can be easily pruned into well-defined shapes. 

Additionally, privet is relatively low maintenance and extremely adaptable to various climates and soil types. This makes it an excellent choice for most gardens. Privet shrubs are suitable for a wide array of topiary purposes, but you should be mindful that it would attract scales that will eat up the leaves or the chlorophyll in the leaves.

9. Cherry Laurel Shrubs

The cherry laurel shrub is a popular topiary tree that is native to Mediterranean areas but is also well-known for being widely cultivated in Europe and North America. It’s a dense evergreen shrub with broad leathery dark green leaves and beautiful white flowers from April until May that would attract different pollinators. 

This plant grows best in full sun, but can still tolerate some shade and requires regular pruning to maintain desired size and shape when grown as a topiary. However, the only drawback is that you must be careful because it may be prone to pests such as borers or scales, this would happen mostly if the state of the plant is vulnerable. 

10. Rosemary Herbs

Rosemary, one of the most versatile culinary herbs and a member of the mint family, has been used for food and medicinal purposes since antiquity. Not only is it packed with essential oils and anti-inflammatory compounds but can also be shaped into any given aesthetic form. 

Topiary rosemary plants are a delightful way to bring flavor and visual appeal to your garden as well as your plate. Place it in a location where it will grow beautifully under the direct sun all day long, and make sure that the soil is a well draining one. 

11. Germander Herbs

Germander herbs, a perennial foliage shrub commonly referred to as Teucrium chamaedrys, is native to Europe but has become a popular ornamental landscape plant due to its unique and highly attractive spiral topiary-like qualities. 

Growing up to three feet tall and wide, Germander’s glossy evergreen leaves and spires of fragrant pink flowers make it stand out from the crowd in gardens around the world. The only worry that you should have is that this plant may have an infestation of aphids, but if you start spotting them, then make sure to take measures to get rid of them.

12. Wilson’s Honeysuckle

Wilson’s honeysuckle is an evergreen shrub that has become increasingly popular due to its versatility and hardiness. Its dense foliage is perfect for pruning and shaping into topiary forms. Its bright green leaves provide a charming contrast if used in combination with other shades of green. 

Wilson’s honeysuckle also produces small, fragrant blossoms and attracts birds and pollinators. This topiary plant is easy to care for; minimal pruning is required while regular watering helps it thrive. As a result, you will see it thrive in spring, when it starts to attract pollinators and boosts the pollination process.

13. Camellia

The camellia is a popular topiary plant renowned for its lush green foliage and eye-catching blooms. Its flowers come in bright colors ranging from pink, white, and red, with single or double-petal forms depending on the variety. 

This evergreen shrub can effectively be trained into formal shapes such as pyramids, cubes, and globes with regular pruning practices. It is on that will add beauty and increase the vibrancy anywhere it is located, especially with the beautiful flowers it would pollinate with the help of bees and wasps. 

14. Star Jasmine

Star jasmine is a topiary plant that offers unparalleled beauty and is an asset for any garden. This evergreen climber has fragrant white flowers, that would attract bees, along with glossy green foliage and bright red berries in the winter. They would add a beautiful feature around your house and make it look artistic, even through the cold months. 

It is easy to care for and suitable for a variety of settings, with its rapid growth creating stunning displays. As it is best grown against a trellis or wall, star jasmine can offer a focal point within any garden design.

Conclusion

We hope that this list of topiary plants will help you find the right kind of plant for your garden.

Here is a quick summary of these plants based on their growing season:

• If you want to grow plants in winter you can choose camellia, Japanese holly shrubs, etc.
• All plants in this list excluding cypress, germander herbs, and camellia can be grown in spring.
• Plants such as cypress, star jasmine, etc. are suitable to cultivate in summer.
• Dwarf Alberta spruce, yew bushes, can be grown in the fall season and would still look aesthetically pleasing.

Now that you know a list of these amazing plants, you can surely have a variety of topiary that would grow so well around your house, and provide an aesthetic view at its finest. Which ones will you be picking?

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