Just like fashion, plant standards and topiaries come and go in popularity – but they’re enduring. In fact, plants have been sculptured, tamed and trained for eons. Persian, Greek, Roman, European, Asian and American cultures have used (or abandoned the use of) these wonderful landscape features throughout the ages. Of course, no matter the style of the moment, you have only to take a trip to a local arboretum or amusement park to find some sort of topiary or standard on display.
Boxwood lends itself to topiary design beautifully.
Photo Credit: T. Lee Stephens
This 2-year-old hibiscus standard was started from 4½-inch nursery stock.
Photo Credit: T. Lee Stephens
To start a standard, transplant a young plant into a 2½-inch pot and grow it out for several months.
Photo Credit: T. Lee Stephens
Insert a stake next to the plant to begin the process of creating the standard.
Photo Credit: T. Lee Stephens
As the plant grows, tie the stem at short intervals to the stake to encourage and maintain vertical growth. Transplant the entire planting to a larger container as it grows.
Photo Credit: T. Lee Stephens
With the right care, it won’t be long before your little transplant is transformed into a beautiful standard – like this lovely tabletop fuschia form.
Photo Credit: T. Lee Stephens
But let me back up for just a moment. For the purpose of clarity, I should define exactly what each of these features is: A plant standard is a landscape feature where the plant has been trained to a single stem with a mass of vegetation at the top. Topiaries, on the other hand, are plants that have been trained to fill a predetermined space (or form). There’s a tremendous amount of fluidity in these definitions – with some standards being more like topiaries and some topiaries being more like standards.
Regardless of the definitions, either of these lovely trained plant styles can enhance a formal entry or add a focal point to your garden. You can use topiaries in your outdoor living spaces to cool the rigid materials of rock and concrete, or place standards as sentinels of color to enhance your décor with a splash of green texture or flowering presence. Use these forms in containers and move them about the garden to create different looks as the season progresses. Or think of them as living pieces of accent furniture you have inside your home – you can move them about as your moods change. They’re a great way to modify your space without a major overhaul.
Once you decide to create a standard or topiary for your outdoor living space, the first thing you need to remember is that it takes some time, patience and planning. Full-sized standards can take as long as 2-4 years to bring to maturity. The same could be said of topiaries. (Although you can grow 14-inch-tall tabletop standards or topiaries in as little as a growing season. Consider using rosemary, lavender, scented geraniums and small-leaved ivies as tabletop décor. They’re easy to get and relatively inexpensive.)
No matter what size standard or topiary you want to grow, the planning process involves five elements:
- The plant. Standard plants generally have strong vertical stems. Geraniums (Pelargonium), hibiscus and rosemary are great beginning choices. Topiary plants are generally evergreen, with boxwood (Buxus) being the easiest to train, clip and grow.
- The container. Shallow containers like azalea pots are great for keeping the proportions right. But don’t be afraid to experiment with different kinds of planters to get the right look for your space.
- Location. Where will your “living art” grow and survive? Make sure the plant’s sun/shade requirements are met whenever you move it about the landscape. (And remember, “full sun” means more attention to the watering schedule!)
- Staking. Use a sturdy plastic stake instead of bamboo or a wooden dowel. (Wood tends to rot – although bamboo can be a nice way to start a standard. Plastic stakes are inexpensive and easily available.) Tie your plant to the stake with a flexible material like raffia or old panty hose – don’t use metal twist ties. A flexible material gives as the plant grows. For topiaries, create a frame out of flexible wire and use it as a guide in shaping.
- Potting soil. Select a potting soil that’s appropriate for your specific plant. For example, if you use rosemary as your starter plant, mix one-third sand to two-thirds potting soil to ensure the plant gets the drainage it needs.
Producing a standard/topiary takes patience and planning, but the beauty it brings to a living space more than compensates for the effort involved in its production. And even though it can take a couple years for your standard or topiary to grow into its full glory, take heart in the fact that its beauty (and your enjoyment of it) will last for years to come.
