Product Description

Topiary and ornamental training offers an increasingly popular and low-maintenance way of bringing character and structure to gardens. This work combines design for topiary with technical instruction, and contains a number of ideas and advice on how to grow, prune and train plants to make stylish garden features. It shows how to: sculpt topiary shapes, from single balls and pyramids to birds and abstracts; create patterns for knots and parterres; train fruit trees and climbers to make ornamental avenues and tunnels; and shape mock topiary for quick results.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #194923 in Books
• Published on: 1999-04-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 168 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Topiary and the Art of Training Plants aims to demystify the practice of sculpting plants and hedging and instil confidence in amateur gardeners who are keen to develop this art. David Joyce is an experienced garden writer and planting adviser who, as the co-author of The Royal Horticultural Society Pruning and Training Manual, is well qualified to make this difficult skill accessible.

The book offers guidance on three main types of topiary: plants as sculpture, plants as architecture and patterned planting. It also includes a well-written and informative introduction that gives the enthusiast an interesting historical perspective on the growth of the art form.

Common and unusual forms of topiary are clearly explained, with simple-to-follow steps--for example, how to shape a box ball. Furthermore Joyce points out the pros and cons of using particular plants, such as the disadvantages of fast-growing privets and the graphic geometry of rare deciduous topiary like hawthorn. The range covered is extremely comprehensive and includes simple shapes on stems, animal shapes and standardised flowering or fruiting plants, as well as more complex fantasy sculptures.

The "Plants as Architecture" section includes tips on planting formal hedges and how to early train common hedging plants to create arches and decorative effects such as Yew Buttress with a Tulip Finial. For the more ambitious landscaper, there is even a dramatic Art Deco garden. Joyce provides a detailed directory of plants and shrubs, their characteristics and how they will grow. He also recommends public gardens to visit throughout Europe.

Joyce's instructions are all delicately illustrated by Laura Stoddart and are accompanied by impressive photography that makes this is an extremely attractive and useful guide to the art of topiary. --Karen Homer

Garden Answers, January 2002
'practical and inspiring'

About the Author
David Joyce is a celebrated garden writer and planting adviser who has lived and gardened in New Zealand, France and Hong Kong as well as in London and Suffolk. He has written many successful books on a range of gardening topics.

As well as being a distinguished garden photographer – he holds the Royal Horticultural Society's Gold Medal for photography – Andrew Lawson is a painter, a passionate and knowledgeable gardener, and author of several successful gardening books.

To visit Andrew Lawson's website click here

Customer Reviews

An inspiring and excellent reference book on formal gardens
A well illustrated and good reference to the art of topiary and training plants. Leaning towards traditional topiary with plants such as yew and boxwood. Topiary with these plants is not executed overnight.

A reasonable section on false topiary (making living sculptures with vigourous growing ivies)is described. Overall an excellent coffee table book to browse for ideas, particulary at the garden planning stage.