FAQs

Believe it or not, the question I get asked more than any other is " How did I get into the Topiary business?".
The short answer is, God told me to. If this answer intrigues you read on.

I graduated from Cal Poly with a degree in Horticulture in 1988. My plans all along had been to get my degree and then start my own nursery business growing and selling general landscape plants. Unfortunately, in the summer of '88 California was in the middle of the worst drought the state had ever seen. Nurseries were going out of business left and right. Starting a nursery at that time would have resulted in sure failure. "This situation is hopeless." I thought to myself. " So I did the only thing I could when in the middle of a hopeless situation. I went to the one who specializes in hope, God. I had prayed for guidance in the past and had always felt not quite sure about what the answer was. This time was different. The clarity was amazing. After struggling for many months to carve out my own hope, the answer, topiary, came to me. I hadn't even thought about topiary before let alone made any, however, the conviction was undeniable. "THIS IS WHAT YOU WILL DO" Not "try this" or "lets see if this will work". It was a clear, confident, conviction, the voice of God. So I got to the task of making topiaries and I have never looked back. Today, Chris' Topiary Nursery has become a phenomenal success. Oh, maybe not in size or in quantity of items sold, but in the result of confidence in the one who gives hope, God.

What are your topiary frames made of ?

All topiary frames are personally handcrafted under the highest quality standards by Chris Myers, Owner and Topiary Artist of Chris' Topiary Nursery.
Small sized topiary frames are made of 20 gauge, galvanized, poultry netting.
Medium and larger sized topiary frames are made of a heavier 17 gauge, galvanized, construction netting.

By using a netting, much more three dimensional detail can be achieved. A netting also eliminates the need for fishing line for those who plan to stuff their frame with moss.

When necessary, metal rods are used to strengthen and stabilizes each topiary frame.
All frames are double coated with 15 year Exterior Semi-gloss paint. Customers can specify either green or white frame color. ( Flamingos are painted pink.)
Why would you want your frame color to be white?
All of the frames used for Shrub filled topiaries are usually painted white so the figure stands out in the landscape as the shrub is filling it in. Keep in mind that the shrub will eventually hide the frame. If the frame is green you can't see it clearly until it completely fills in. Here are some examples of white and green topiary frames:

What are Shrub filled topiaries?

Shrub-filled topiaries are a style of topiary that involves a growing shrub such as boxwood, myrtle, rosemary or other small leafed plants. The plant grows inside and fills the topiary frame. The shrub is planted in the ground or in a pot with the topiary frame over the top of it. As the plant grows and fills the frame, the plant is trimmed to the shape of the frame. Eventually, the plant grows thick enough to completely hide the frame.

Deer growing with Rosemary.

Shrubs that are good for topiary usually have smaller sized leaves and are plants that respond well to pruning by getting thicker the more they are sheared. To view a list of plants that have worked well for Chris' Topiary Nursery see the Plant List page.

What are moss filled topiaries?

There are actually three different styles of moss-filled topiaries. A brief explanation of each style may be helpful in deciding which style is best for you.
The first, and most simple, is the style of stuffing the topiary frame with moss only and enjoying the figure without any living plant growing on it. The advantage to this style is the lack of maintenance once the figure is stuffed.
The second style of moss filled topiary involves a frame that is stuffed with a mixture of both moss and soil. Small plants are inserted into the frame as it is being stuffed. The advantage of this style is the fact that everything is self-contain with in the figure itself. No pot or other soil is need. This style, however, is the hardest of the three to maintain. It also has the shortest life span due to the decomposing of the moss and soil mixture.
The third style involves a frame that is stuffed with moss in combination with a vine type plant that is growing in a pot or in the ground. The stuffed frame is place in the pot or next to the plant, if it is growing in the ground, and the vine grows over the surface of the stuffed frame. The advantage of this style, over the second style, is a healthier, more sustainable topiary due to the ample amount of soil in which the vine is rooted.

Examples of topiary frames that have been stuffed with moss.

Creeping Fig ( Ficus repens ) (USDA Zones 9-11) (indoors anywhere) Size: 2 - 10 ft. Growth rate: moderate.
Lighting: Full sun to shade. Leaves: Small bright green. Flowers: insignificant.
Possible Pests: Aphids - spray Malathion.
Comments: Most often used for topiaries frames that are stuffed with moss. Possible choice for shady areas.

Ivy ( Hedera species ) (USDA Zones 5-11) (indoors anywhere) Size: 2 - 10 ft. Growth rate: moderate.
Lighting: Full sun to shade. Avoid hot summer sun. Leaves: Small bright green, glossy. Flowers: insignificant.
Possible Pests: Aphids - spray Malathion.
Comments: Most often used for topiaries frames that are stuffed with moss. Possible choice for shady areas.

Larger sized topiary frames are extremely expensive to ship. Normal shipping companies such as UPS, Fed Ex or the US Postal Service do not accept packages larger than 130 inches (measured L+W+H+W+H). Those companies that do accept extra large packages such as ground freight companies can charge as much as $200 to $600 and even more depending on how far it needs to be shipped.
If these kind of shipping costs are acceptable to you, Chris' Topiary will be glad to ship any larger sized topiary frames.

Why don't you ship planted topiaries?

Shipping planted topiaries is expensive due to the additional weight of the soil. Also, because shipping can expose the plants to extreme temperatures, the result is often plants that are delivered in less than acceptable health. Planted topiaries also require special permits and inspections in order to cross state or county lines. In order to control the spread of insects and diseases the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires special permits and inspections in order to legally ship living plants across state or county lines. For these reasons, it has been the decision of Chris' Topiary Nursery not to ship plants.

What is your policy for Returns, Privacy, and Shipping?

Returns: If you are not satisfied with your order you may return it to Chris' Topiary for a full refund.

Shipping: All orders are shipped as soon as possible, usually with in the same week of placing your order.
If you would like to check on your order you can call Customer Service at 951 352-3526

Table of Contents

How did I get into the topiary business?

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What are your topiary frames made of ?

What are Shrub filled topiaries?

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What are moss filled topiaries?

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Why don't you ship planted topiaries?

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What is your policy for Returns, Privacy, and Shipping?

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