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Topiary: Creating a standard.
theno2soco
Posts: 80
in Plants
I am totally new to gardening, that said, I do fancy my next project, creating a standard after my first successful attempt of 3 pots of winter plants, but I need help 
First, it's winter in the UK, is that a good time to start? I am in the 'desert part' so winter is very mild compared to my youth in Sunderland many years ago.
If it is feasible to start now I will continue my request for help but if not, perhaps best postpone until it is.
First, it's winter in the UK, is that a good time to start? I am in the 'desert part' so winter is very mild compared to my youth in Sunderland many years ago.
If it is feasible to start now I will continue my request for help but if not, perhaps best postpone until it is.
Every contact leaves a trace - LocardMy abode: Essex, soon to be a desert!
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I decided to have some fun and create what was at first a stick with a small round at the top. Today it is about 4ft tall with a lovely straight stem and' lollipop' top.
I have no idea if this was the thing to do? Perhaps it should be grafted or something.
Anyway I am pleased with it's progress although I haven't a clue, gardening should be an experiment at times and now I wish I had grown more. It is in a pot 50/50 Soilbased compost and MP.
As I have mentioned I started this project in spring. Not only did we face drought conditions last year but November was wet here, followed by nights of minus 5 or lower which is a challenge for many plants. Hebes, Cordylines, Phormiums, Ceonothus were amongst many that suffered. It continues to become more difficult to suggest when to start a project such as this butif you are growing in a pot I would still say spring .
It is becoming more difficult to follow advice given in a gardening book. Best to consult other gardeners and find out what is going on here and now. No one knows what sort of weather we will be dealing with in six months time.
Yes, I have a 2 inch book but it is too complicated for newbies like me.
My abode: Essex, soon to be a desert!
I have done this with Photinia, Portugeuse Laurel, Cotinus,Corylus maxima purpurea and Corylus avellana Contorta. You also create an extra planting area underneath for small bulbs.
Interestingly I have just seen a large euonymous cloud pruned it was one of the larger leaved ones. Perhaps that is my next project.
My abode: Essex, soon to be a desert!
I remember seeing it on TV years ago and I did have a go but found it easier' by eye'.
I have pruned box as part of my job for many years in the past perhaps that is why I found it easier just to go for it.
Not sure what the plant is in your photo, box as I am sure you are aware has many problems. However for a neat tight finish you would need a specimen with very small leaves. Also a straight stem as this will show if it leans or is much thinner further up the plant. Dividing it into sections and taking out a little so that you can see where the bare stems will be. You may find the removal of a larger thicker side shoot means you loose the ball shape and you have a gap. All part of choosing your plant carefully.
I should add that this type of pruning needs to be done in a considered way checking and double checking progress. It is difficult to explain in writing you must have the confidence to go for it. You won't get it right at first but as long as you have the general shape you can improve with future pruning. Monty Don has spent years perfecting Topiary Nigel.
I have also trained a pyracantha with a straight stem against a wall in my old garden, it had the same evenly spaced gaps. I got the idea from York Gate. Twenty years later it didn't look as good but I was very proud of it. Not enough time to repeat it but it was great fun grown from a plant two feet tall.
I hope you can follow the above this is something I have practiced over the years but have never read about
My abode: Essex, soon to be a desert!