New Topiary: Imaginative Techniques from Longwood

This book is about a whole new kind of topiary that can be used in the house, in the garden or on the patio. It contains fascinating ideas such as how to make a living chrysanthemum curtain! New Topiary, an imaginative extension to the hanging basket principle, provides a new medium for the interior designer. Topiary uses living flowers, ivies, and shrubs. A typical growing time is just six weeks. The book contains a detailed description of the techniques of growing, shaping and training plants into both whimsical and formal shapes that can be colorful, elegant or both. The author takes us through various stages including frame design, mosses, compost, plants, assembly and general maintenance. We learn to make the simplest ivy circle as well as more complicated figures such as horses, elephants and even dragons!