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Plants Suited for Use on an Indoor Topiary

Basic Topiary Care

November18,1998 I would like some Ideas on fast growing plants or ivies to grow for indoor topiaries. Also, I've read of using Morning Glories, 4 O'clocks, and Moon Vine mixed, and wonder if this could be grown indoors in a sunny place. *** Could you explain to me how to "cut back" a geranium topiary for the greenhouse wintering? Thank you.

A topiary is a plant which is shaped and trimmed to create a 3 dimensional object, based on a frame that the plant grows around. The plant is periodically trimmed to the shape of the frame. Generally the frames are filled with sphagnum moss on which the plants will grow. A little care and understanding of the maintenance will enhance the appearance of the sculpture and ensure years of enjoyment from your topiary. Direct sunlight will bleach out the moss to a golden tan color, however green colorant can be used to retain the original hue. Water in your new plants and keep the soil moist (depending on the plant requirements) The moss itself prefers to be kept damp at all times. As the plants grow, simply attach the runners to the frame using plastic florist tape or twist ties, until the sculpture is covered to your satisfaction. If your sculpture begins to look a little shaggy, you can simply use scissors to trim.
There are dozens of plants that can be clipped and shaped into topiary forms. Most any vining or creeping type plant can be used successfully. Many herbs can be used for topiary, such as rosemary, French lavender, scented geranium, and lemon eucalyptus. The plants you choose will depend on the topiary shapes you want to create, so personally, I would just wander through the house plant section of your favorite nursery and see what you like.

Some plants that you might want to consider would be:

Heart leaf philodendron Philodendron scandens
Baby's tears Helxine soleirolii
Grape ivy Rhoicissus rhomboidea
True ivies Hedera species (many)
Strawberry begonia Saxifraga stolonifera
Columnea Columnea species
Rosary vine Ceropegia woodii
Jasmine Jasminum polyanthum
Polka dot plant Hypoestes phyllostachya
Sedums Sedum species (many)
Pothos Scindapsus aureus
Aluminum plant Pilea microphylla
Pellionia Pellionia pulchra
Purple velvet plant Gynura auranyiaca
Wax flower Hoya carnosa

To answer the question of whether Morning Glories, 4 O'clocks, and Moon Vine mixed can be grown in a sunny spot in the house..... of course!
To answer the question of pruning the geranium topiary.... Since you will be putting the plant into a greenhouse over the winter it may tend to become somewhat leggy, so I would just keep it pinched back and let it 'rest' until spring.

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