Topiary Frames set the stage for creating themed gardens using fast growing shrubs like Japanese Holly and Buxus sempervirens. Unlike statues, these sculptures will live in the patio garden or indoors. While they do require some upkeep, the metal frame means trimming is not a hassle, and the plants require minimal maintenance relative to other container plants.

Frames
Topiary frames come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and Seranata on-line has one to suit your individual circumstance. The primary advantage of using a frame is to take the guesswork out of shaping. Does a heart or swan made of green leaves sound appealing to you? It is easy to achieve with a frame. Even elaborate shapes such as cats, dolphins, snails, and teddy bears can be achieved easily with the use of a frame.

Plants
The requirements for plants chosen to fill out topiary frames are that they have small leaves and be able to handle pruning without problems. The frames from Seranata can be delivered as a complete package, including plant, container, and frame, and most make use of the buxus, or common box. One notable exception is the 90cm spiral helix, which uses Japanese Holly. This plant’s cultural requirements are very similar to buxus.

Upkeep will consist of watering regularly during the growing season and trimming. It’s a good idea to make out a watering schedule. Fertilizer will help the plant maintain vigor if applied 2-3 times during the season. This is best done by soaking the container in a large bucket, a watering technique that is also useful should the soil dry out. At the start of the growing season, you’ll want to remove the plant from the container and inspect the roots. These can be pruned and replaced with additional compost containing slow release fertilizer.