Topiary facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Topiary is the art of creating sculptures by clipping trees and bushes (shrubs). The shrubs used in topiary are evergreen, have small leaves, and produce dense foliage. Common plants used in topiary include bay laurel, holly bushes, myrtle and privet hedges. Shaped wire cages are sometimes used in modern topiary but traditional topiary depends on using special scissors with patience and a steady hand.

History

The word derives from the Latin word for an ornamental landscape gardener. A friend of Julius Caesar introduced Rome to the topiary. In Japan and China they have “cloud pruning” where they cut bushes into the shapes of clouds and “Karikomi”, where they cut large shrubs into curved shapes and objects. Bonsai is a form of topiary. During the 16th century in Europe typical traditional topiary included geometric shapes: balls, pyramids, cones, and spirals. In the 20th century Walt Disney used topiaries in the form of his cartoon characters to decorate his theme parks.

Images for kids

  • Rufford Old Hall 14

    Squirrel topiary, Rufford Old Hall, Rufford, Lancashire, England.

  • Herb Garden, York Gate Garden - geograph.org.uk - 691818

    York Gate Garden, Leeds, Yorkshire, England.

  • Pt-ctb-jardimpaco

    Castelo Branco Portugal.

  • Korea-Geoje-Oedo 4098-06

    Cloud-pruning in Hallyeo Haesang National Park, Geoje, South Korea

  • FingaskCastlefromSouthWest

    Topiary at Fingask Castle, Tayside. Second half of the 19th century

  • Levenshall1833

    Levens Hall's Elizabethan topiary in 1833

  • Beckley Park topiary garden

    Beckley Park, Oxfordshire: cottage garden topiary formulas taken up in an early 20th-century elite English garden in a historic house setting

  • Hidcote Manor

    Topiary birds at Hidcote Manor Garden

  • Eyrignac Manor - Gardens-02

    The topiary garden at Manor d'Eyrignac, France

  • Railton

    A topiary at Railton, Town of Topiary, Tasmania, Australia

  • Topiaryelephant

    Topiary elephants at Bang Pa-In Royal Palace

  • Gurning... (8456271082)

    Topiary at Wonderful topiary at Kingston Lacy, UK

  • Henfield-St Peter's Church-path to Church - geograph.org.uk - 132343

    St Peter's Church in Henfield the path to Church is guarded by topiary

  • Stonehouse, Bush house, Glasshouse - geograph.org.uk - 60354

    Topiary house

  • " Green Pig" - geograph.org.uk - 245244

    A topiary pig in Halton, Northumberland

  • Tsubo-en O-karikomi center seasons run-opt

    All seasons close-up of the Tsubo-en (Netherlands) O-karikomi, hako-zukuri topiary.

  • Topiary Château de Hautefort 10

    Topiary Château de Hautefort


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Topiary Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.