Neighbor News
6 Steps to Caring for your Topiary Tree
Topiary Trees need to be continuously trimmed, pruned, and cut in order to help them grow into the perfect shape to maintain their health.
When it comes to caring for our topiary trees, it takes a certain level of dedication. For other kinds of trees, we can usually leave them alone to grow on their own without having to put a great deal of extra effort into altering their appearance. But topiaries need to be continuously trimmed, pruned, and cut in order to help them grow into the perfect shape while maintaining the overall health. Here are six simple steps that can make the entire process a bit easier to manage.
- For topiaries that are planted in garden beds or individual pots, feed them with flower food at least every couple of weeks until the tree is fully formed. Use manure and fertilizer around the base of the tree, and replace the surrounding soil once a year to make sure that it is always getting the proper nutrients.
- Topiaries should only be watered about once per week and only when the top sol is completely dry.
- The early spring is the best time to prune the tree back to its original shape, but make sure that the last frost of the season has already taken place. Frost can damage or even kill topiary trees with open wounds.
- The typical growing season occurs from May to September. During this time, feel free to trim your tree as often as you see fit. But be careful. Don’t trim away too much of the limbs. It can take years for them to grow back.
- Avoid clipping tree limbs after early autumn. Don’t take the chance of leaving open wounds that could cause damage to the plant from an early frost.
- For plants that remain outdoors during the winter, gently brush any snowfall from the limbs of the tree as it occurs. The excess weight of the snow can create holes in the design of your tree or can even break some of the individual branches.
Topiaries are beautiful, artistic plants that are as individual and unique as the people who own them. They need special care and attention, but the results can be truly magnificent. Take your time and enjoy the process. There is nothing more rewarding than a beautifully maintained and exceptionally healthy topiary tree.
