Types of Topiary Trees: How To Grow Topiary Plants, Outdoor Shaped Trees

How To Grow Outdoor Shaped Trees: Growing Topiary Plants

Topiary DIY is so exciting because you can make anything out of your tree. Wondering how to make a topiary tree for the very first time?

Not to worry because it is not even as hard as you may think. First things first, you are going to pick the tree and have the design in mind, knowing very well that your tree or shrub’s size and form will make all the difference.

For instance, a tall, slender tree will make a perfect cone or spiral-shaped topiary tree, while a short and bushy one will naturally form a globe, so there is no need to force shapes out of your trees.

If you are creative and know how to work with sheers, you can style your trees freehand, but most people use wireframes that are in the shape that they desire. It is these frames that go over the tree and serve as a guide for you because you will only be pruning along the outer part of the frame.

As for the vining plants, you will have to wrap the stalks around the wires as they keep growing. You may see gaps in the frame, but the best thing about making topiary trees is that they tend to fill up and take the desired design with time.

Note that pruning usually triggers more growth, so expect to conduct regular maintenance for the tree to retain its shape. Luckily, the more it matures, the less pruning you will have to do.

Real vs Faux Topiary Trees

There is no doubt that topiary trees are the perfect way to create a luxury look for your garden. However, not everyone has a green thumb or the patience for making their own trees from scratch, this is why there are artificial topiary trees being sold in local and online stores.

As a beginner, you can’t help but weigh out the options and see what will work for you.

Here is a breakdown of the pros and cons of each.

Real Outdoor Topiary Trees

Here, you will be dealing with actual trees that you plant, care for, and shape on your own. Some homeowners prefer real trees that they can design and redesign as they want while making them fit into the landscape.

Pros

1. Trees, in their truest forms, are naturally beautiful. They are perfect for people who only want their gardens to be authentic.
2. Having real trees makes the air around cleaner and fresher, whether indoors or outdoors.
3. You get the satisfaction of planting and personally shaping your trees, it is so fun and rewarding.
4. In the long run, when the trees start maturing, this is the more cost-effective method.

Cons

1. You may need some advanced skills in order to make the most symmetrical and stunning topiary trees, otherwise, you may have to hire an artist.
2. Having real trees means regular care and maintenance, so you will have to be hands-on with watering, fertilizing, and of course, pruning.⁹
3. Real topiary trees do not really last as long as the faux ones.

Faux Outdoor Topiary Trees

Artificial trees are usually sold for homeowners who need to spruce up their spaces, minus the commitment of caring for a real tree.

There are definitely some ups and downsides to buying faux-topiary trees, so this may help you decide.

Pros

1. You don’t have to worry about maintenance because the tree doesn’t need any watering, pruning, fertilizing, or pruning.
2. Faux topiaries are never in danger of pests and diseases.
3. They tend to last way longer than real trees because they don’t rot or start aging with time.

Cons

1. A faux plant doesn’t look as naturally stunning as a real tree. The colors don’t really pop, and you will likely detect the difference.
2. You cannot rely on them for air purification because the parts of a tree necessary for these processes do not exist.
3. A common problem when it comes to buying fake trees is that you may end up with one that is made of subpar materials.¹ The result is a topiary tree that deteriorates the more it is exposed to the sun, looking old and dull, completely defeating its purpose as a landscaping tree.

Are Faux Topiary Trees Better Than the Real Ones?

While there are real trees that people grow for their landscaping needs, there are also faux ones that are specially designed for various purposes.

They are perfect for when you don’t have the time or are just not able to take care of a real tree. However, they lack the natural beauty of actual topiary trees and will not look or feel the same.

This is why experts will recommend that you go for real plants, but the decision is entirely up to you, knowing that both have their ups and downsides.

What To Look For in Artificial Topiaries

Artificial topiary plants may not be the top choice for many homeowners, but it is undeniable that they also have their advantages.

So, if you want to go in a different direction and buy prelit topiary trees, small topiary trees, or even massive ones, it helps to know more about them first. For one, you want to make sure that the faux tree that you buy looks as close to a natural plant as possible.

The aim is to make landscaping look real, and that cannot happen with a tree with weird colors and designs. Someone has to actually get up close and touch it to know that it is not real.

Therefore, it goes without saying that you have to find a trusted supplier for your trees. They have to be high-quality material, which usually means a heftier price tag, but it will be worth it eventually.

The last thing that you want is to wind up with a tree that looks sick and pale after a while of being under the sun and other elements. You should also go for UV-resistant trees, and if not, you may have to buy a UV spray to help protect them from fading.

Luckily, these trees come in so many design options, and you could easily land one that has the right shape, height, and color that will fit into your landscape or indoors.

Ways To Use Topiaries as Tree Landscape

Topiary trees outdoors will never disappoint. They are the go-to landscaping trees for when you want to add some life and color to your home.

It helps that there are so many ways that you can style or use these trees for their ornamental features.

1. Lining up on entryways: One common landscaping style is where property owners plant these stunning trees along paths and entryways.¹⁰ They serve as landmarks, and anyone coming in can take in their beauty.
2. As privacy screens: When you have bushy trees growing around your home, you can easily trim them to make them privacy screens, and pleached trees do such a great job, blocking the strong sun rays and loud noises.
3. Garden markers: You can use topiary trees to help define your garden. They will also do a great job separating various parts of the property and making it easier to access.²
4. Decorate walls: Do you know espalier trees?
   Espalier trees grow up a wall with proper hedging, and the same can be done for topiaries. This is an incredible way to add character to your home.
5. Potted topiaries: If you are a fan of container gardening, then you will absolutely love growing your beautiful trees in pots, using them as outdoor and indoor decor pieces. It is quite common to find various types of bonsai trees and shaped vines as centerpieces on tables and countertops.
6. Focal points: One way to make a bold statement is to get a massive topiary tree to grow right in the middle of the garden. It effortlessly captures the eye while serving as the main ornamental tree.
   You can even try tree edging around it to make it stand out even more.

Tips for the Best Outdoor Topiary Trees

Topiary trees are no doubt stunning, but it takes some level of skill for the landscaping to come together. So, if you are a beginner, you may want to have some tips and tricks up your sleeve.

1. Be patient with the tree or shrub selection: Any expert will tell you that the choice of tree is one of the most important landscaping decisions to make. Apart from the looks, you are also going to consider the whole purpose of planting and how long it is all going to take before you see the end result.
2. Save time by buying prearranged topiaries: Instead of starting from scratch, did you know that you can easily just buy a predesigned plant? Place it in the right spot and just maintain it as it grows.
3. Pot delicate plants: If you live in a region that experiences the harshest weather, you may have to pot your plants in order to make them more portable, allowing you to carry them indoors and outdoors if need be.
4. Repot every few years: In the case of potted plants, you will have to repot them with new soil or even bigger containers with time.
5. Be patient: Time is one factor out of your control and one that will determine how everything works out. You will have to be very patient because some types of trees take as much as three years to take form.

Care and Maintenance of Topiary Plants

Real outdoor topiary trees need some care and maintenance because you definitely don’t want a tree that doesn’t look its best in your garden.¹¹ Here is what you can do to keep your plant happy and healthy.

1. Watering: Considering how topiary trees grow, rainwater barely makes it to the ground level, and that has serious consequences. This explains why you have to make sure that you regularly water once or a few times a week, depending on the type of plant you are dealing with, and while at it, always direct the water to the base of the tree.
2. Feeding: Like any other living thing, your topiary trees also need nutrients and fertilizer will come in handy for this, and it is supposed to be a slow-release one. It will definitely show if your plants don’t have enough food, from the weak and pale look to stunted growth.
3. Pruning: One maintenance aspect that beginners dread when it comes to topiary trees is trimming. But unlike popular opinion, pruning topiaries are not even that tasking; some trees only need pruning once annually.
   The trim is not just to help retain the tree’s shape, but it also helps promote better air circulation and exposure to sunlight.⁵

Once you start planting trees to spruce up your home, there is no going back. You will love how they bring life to otherwise bare land, adding a touch of luxury and class that you can only find in stately properties.

Topiary trees do this and more, and you can easily tell why they are becoming more and more popular among homeowners.

Did you know that you can actually do it all yourself? Yes, you can grow a tree from scratch and make it a topiary using freehand or just a cage.

The options are limitless, from globes to cones and spirals to animals. You can let your creativity and personal style show right from the choice of topiary tree to how you incorporate it into your landscaping.

If you see stunning intricate topiary trees in luxurious places, know that you can actually do the same for your home, all it takes is a little practice and patience to create stunning landscapes for your home.