MAKING A
TOPIARY CONE
Simple, architectural topiary shapes, such as
cones, are easy to create and suit many situations.
Allow a topiary plant to grow to the height you want
before trimming it to the desired shape.
YOU WILL NEED
• boxwood shrub
• long-handled clippers
• garden gloves (optional)
SEE ALSO
• PLANT A SHRUB >> 110/111
• SHRUBS IN POTS >> 112/115
• PRUNING KNOW-HOW >> 236/237
KEEP TOOLS CLEAN
To prevent the spread of
disease, sterilize your tools
before trimming a new
plant. Inexpensive household
disinfectant will do the job.
Rub on some oil after use,
to prevent rust.
1
When buying
box or other topiary
plants, look for healthy
specimens densely
covered in unblemished
leaves, with a strong
leading upright shoot
in the center. Before
planting, ensure that
the plant’s best side is
facing the front.
Slightly
overgrown
plants with
recent growth
give you more
to work with
A topiary cone
adds structure
to the garden
US_136-137_MakingTopiary_cone.indd 136 07/09/2018 16:34
SHRUBS // MAKING A TOPIARY CONE 136 –137
3
Stand back from time to time
to assess the shape of the
cone. To achieve a perfectly
circular cone, look directly down
at it from the central point. From
this position you can see if the
cone is clipped equally all around.
2
Stand above the plant, and
locate a central shoot that
will form the point at the top of
the cone. With long-handled
clippers, start to trim the box
from this point in an outward
direction. Keep moving around
the plant as you clip.
4
If your cone has a few gaps,
don’t be tempted to keep
trimming, or you will end up with
a tiny topiary. Leave the gaps, and
after a few months young shoots
will form and fill them out. Tidy up
your cone twice a year in summer.
Work slowly
to avoid
trimming too
much o the
plant initially
US_136-137_MakingTopiary_cone.indd 137 07/09/2018 16:34
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