Topiary Frames

by Brian Joyce

Examples in frames  | Public topiary gallery  
  Wh'std village site

Peacock

We no longer design and make frames for topiary.  The web site is now being used for general interest - so if you have a picture or information related to topiary that you would like considered for inclusion, please email it'

 

Bird Examples


Small Duck 45cm height


Medium Duck 62cm height


Large Duck 76cm height


Cockerel height 76 cm


Small Peacock 60 cm height


Medium Peacock 85 cm height


Fantail Dove 48 cm height


Medium Pheasant  61cm length
The extensions underneath are about 30cm in length to aid mounting onto an existing bush or hedge.


Large Pheasant 110cm length
The extensions underneath are about 30cm in length to aid mounting onto an existing bush or hedge.


Chick 50 cm height


'Dallas' Peacock 80cm height, 110cm length(This has no tail -  flower or plants are added to represent the tail laying on the ground.  Inspired by a large peacock display in Dallas).


A large peacock topiary with tail laying on ground (made up of flowers etc) in Dallas Arboretum. For information only

Dog Examples


West Highland Terrier
 46cm height.


Labrador 69cm height.


Fox Trotting 106cm length.


Border Terrier
40cm height.


Poodle height 60cm


Fox Running 106cm length

 


Hound Running (A) 110cm length


Hound Running (B) 110cm length

Other Examples

Otters (3 types)

Swimming Standing Upright
32 cm 40 cm 64 cm

 

The cats can be assembled to face to left or right.

Small Cat 50cm height


Medium Cat 65cm height


Large Cat 80cm height


Hedge-Cat designed to sit on a hedge
 (4 prongs below to aid fixing - allow the hedge to grow up inside) height above hedge 50cm


Medium Rabbit 70 cm height 


Medium Bear 70 cm height 


Large Squirrel  90 cm height 


Large obelisk 110 cm height


Torso 73cm height


Sheep 75cm height


Heart 50 x 40cm


Ball 40cm dia  - Can be used near ground or on a standard shrub.  Also can be placed over a post for an ivy or honeysuckle standard.


Dolphin (height 75cm, length 100cm) 

 
Small Aircraft wingspan 61cm, 
length 46cm
 

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Open Geometric shapes - for trimming multiple shrubs

An open frame can be positioned on a shrub and trimmed.   Such frames can be used to trim many shrubs. 

Topiary with frame positioned for trimming


Cone Type B - for trimming or leaving in place
height 50 cm or 70 cm
If you want to allow a conical shape topiary to grow each year, the cone frame can be positioned a little higher each year - the bottom end then being trimmed by eye.


Cone Type C - for trimming or leaving in place    height 90 cm, base dia. 50cm


Type A -Ball Frame for trimming


Type B - Ball Frame for trimming 


Type C - Ball Frame for trimming 


Cube for trimming


Egg for trimming 
height 39cm or 50 cm
(dia 30cm or 38cm resp.)


Spiral - CW or ACW possible, (CW shown)
height 70cm, base dia 40cm.
This is a frame to aid trimming and would be moved from shrub to shrub rather than left in place.
 

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Frames for topiary

For shrub topiary, lightweight frames can be used.  Their purpose is to act as a guide for pruning and to aid the coaxing of branch direction by tying. It is not necessary for the frame to touch the ground – initially it caould be supported by a few canes and as the shrub matures it may adequately support the frame itself.  Two or three shrubs close together can be use to give the topiary better support as it grown and to cope in windy conditions.  

The shrubs can be grown in pots or directly in the ground.  If growing in pots, one could use a soil based compost such as John Innes No3 as it provides good nourishment, drainage and gives the pot weight to resist being blown over.

In the main growing season pruning will be required at intervals - in the case of Buxus (box) this may be every 3 or 4 months, for Lonicera (e.g. Baggesen's Gold) the interval could be a few weeks.  Any part that protrudes from the frame would be trimmed off to keep its shape and encourage the shrub to fill out in the other areas.  Try to keep the shape true to the design by occasionally checking the location of the frame wire and trimming back the shrub if necessary.

For the topiary frames that are filled with sphagnum moss the weight can be significant, due to the water held, and they require a different design and substantial, frame to support them. 

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Topiary Designs by Brian Joyce, 9 Ash Grove,
Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire, AL4 8DF, England

Tel: 01582 629724 or email  

 

(Web updated 24 June 2008 )