Topiary facts for kids

Topiary is a special art form where people shape living trees and bushes into amazing sculptures. Imagine turning a plant into an animal, a geometric shape, or even a cartoon character! The plants used for topiary are usually evergreen, meaning they stay green all year. They also have small leaves and grow very densely, which makes them perfect for detailed shaping. Some common plants used include bay laurel, holly bushes, myrtle, and privet hedges.

To create these living sculptures, artists use special scissors and a lot of patience. They need a steady hand to carefully clip the plants. Sometimes, especially in modern topiary, people use wire frames. These frames act like a guide, helping the plants grow into the desired shape. But traditional topiary relies purely on the skill of the gardener.

The Story of Topiary: A Look Back in Time

The word "topiary" comes from an old Latin word. It described a gardener who created beautiful, ornamental landscapes. This unique art form was first brought to Rome by a friend of the famous Julius Caesar.

Topiary Around the World

Topiary isn't just a European art. In countries like Japan and China, they have their own special ways of shaping plants. One style is called "cloud pruning." Here, bushes are carefully trimmed to look like soft, fluffy clouds floating on the ground. Another style is "Karikomi," where large shrubs are cut into smooth, curved shapes and objects. You might also know about Bonsai, which is a very tiny tree grown in a pot. Bonsai is actually a form of topiary, as it involves carefully shaping and pruning a tree to keep it small and beautiful.

Topiary in Europe and Modern Times

During the 16th century in Europe, topiary became very popular. Gardeners often shaped plants into simple, geometric forms. You would see perfect balls, tall pyramids, pointy cones, and twisting spirals in gardens.

Later, in the 20th century, a very famous person used topiary in a fun new way. Walt Disney decorated his theme parks with topiaries shaped like his beloved cartoon characters. This brought the ancient art of topiary to a whole new audience, making it playful and magical.

Images for kids

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

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  Castelo Branco Portugal.

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

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  Simple upright topiary shapes in Heidelberg ca 1590.

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  Levens Hall's Elizabethan topiary in 1833.

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  Beckley Park, Oxfordshire: early 20th-century garden topiary.

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  Topiary at Château de Hautefort.

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  Topiary at Railton, Town of Topiary, Tasmania, Australia.

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  Topiary elephants at Bang Pa-In Royal Palace.

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  Topiary at Kingston Lacy, UK.

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  Topiary birds at Hidcote Manor Garden.

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  Topiary garden at Manor d'Eyrignac, France.

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  The path to St Peter's Church in Henfield is flanked by topiary.

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  Topiary house.

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  A topiary pig in Halton, Northumberland.

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  Topiary in the Botanical garden Thiruvananthapuram.

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  Dragon shaped hedge, East Rudham.

See also

In Spanish: Topiaria para niños