Topiary Frames

I am always admiring something I see in a store or on TV, or read about. If I see it I am always sure I can do it myself (where talent fails, confidence soars Laughing

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For many years I have admired topiaries. I tried trimming plants to unusual and not natural (to the plant) forms. Actually had a rosemary plant that was 3 balled tiers before the top two died. That was the success. Killed a couple of other small trees that I over pruned (undeniable failures).

I even tried one summer to make a topiary frame out of chicken wire. I had read about this DIY project and was sure I could use some scrap wire and do it. Scratches and bleeding fingers and arms later reality set in. Oh well....

Then two years ago a cheap outdoor wired and lighted Christmas deer died. I thought "TOPIARY!" No thoughts of restringing this dead animated creature, it was going to be an ivy covery deer topiary.

Topiary Deer ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

Ok, I haven't followed through like I should. Winter was very hard this year on the ivy and the front legs got goofy (too thick and need some reworking), but over all I think this is the way to go. Topiary frames are exceptionally expensive. Christmas animals, and tree forms can be found at gargage sales, and after Christmas sales cheap, cheap.

Topiary Deer ( photo / image / picture from Jewell2009's Garden )

The lighted buck with antlers also had his lights die last Christmas. Maybe this summer I'll get him staked out for a nice little topiary also. This time I'm spray painting the frame to camouflage it. That way it will blend in more.

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~Jewell
If a you have but two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one to sustain your life, and a flower with the other to give you a reason to live. ~Chinese Proverb

What a fantastic idea. You have a clever, clever mind, Jewell! Those will be such a nice contribution to a charity event too. Very unique.

As you know, I fight with vines of various kinds all summer. The one that grows CRAZY fast here is Wild Clematis -- clematis vitalba l. (I looked it up). I read that it is common where you are too. I'm of the mindset to work with the stuff that drives me the most crazy. I wonder if it would lend itself well to being used for a topiary?

You know, on second thought, that wouldn't work because the wild clematis is not evergreen. It would not work at all... Duh. What was I thinking?

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Daisybeans/MaryAnn

"Once the relation between poetry and the soil is well established in the mind, all growing things are endowed with more than material beauty." -Elizabeth Lawrence