|
The list below contains the plants that have been used
at Chris' Topiary Nursery.
This list is by no means an exhaustive list of those plants suitable for
topiaries.
Chris' Topiary Plant List:
Abelia
'Edward Goucher ( Abelia
grandiflora ) (USDA Zones 7-11) Size: 3 - 5 ft. Growth rate:
moderate.
Lighting:
Full sun to part shade. Leaves: Small, glossy. Flowers: pink
in summer and fall.
Possible Pests:
Aphids in spring - spray Malathion. Comments: Ok plant for simple forms
with minimal detail.
Anisodontea ( Anisodontea capensis
) (USDA Zones 9-11) Size: 3 - 5 ft. Growth rate: Fast.
Lighting:
Full sun to part shade. Leaves: Med. green 1 in. Flowers:
pink. Possible Pests: Aphids - spray Malathion.
Comments:
Fast growing plant, requires frequent trimming.
Boxwood,
African ( Myrsine africana ) (USDA
Zones 9-11) Size: 1 - 5 ft. Growth rate: moderate.
Lighting:
Full sun to part shade. Leaves: Small, round, dark green, glossy.
Flowers: insignificant.
Possible Pests:
Aphids - spray Malathion. Scale - small turtle shell-like insect on stems -
spray systemic insecticide.
Comments:
Smaller leaves than Japanese boxwood, needs well draining soil.
Boxwood,
Japanese ( Buxus japonica ) (USDA
Zones 6-11) Size: 2 - 5 ft. Growth rate: moderate.
Lighting:
Full sun to part shade. Leaves: Small bright green, glossy, can turn
yellow in winter. Flowers: insignificant.
Possible Pests:
Aphids in spring – spray Malathion.
Comments:
Varieties ‘Winter Gem’ and ‘Winter Green’ hold green color in winter.
Escallonia
( Escallonia fradesii ) (USDA Zones 8-11) Size: 3 - 6 ft. Growth
rate: moderate.
Lighting:
Full sun to part shade. Leaves: 1/2 - 1 in. medium glossy green.
Flowers: pink to red.
Possible Pests:
Aphids in spring - spray Malathion.
Comments:
Good for medium sized topiary, variety 'compacta' good for small topiary
Eugenia,
Brush Cherry ( Eugenia myrtifolia
) (USDA Zones 9-11) Size: 4 - 30 ft. Growth rate: fast.
Lighting:
Full sun to part shade. Leaves: 1 in. red; when young turn glossy
green. Flowers: White but not showy.
Possible Pests:
Psyllid - insect that turns leaves bumpy - spray systemic insecticide.
Comments:
Good for larger topiary, fast grower, frost damage at 30°F.
Eugenia,
Dwarf ( Eugenia compacta ) (USDA
Zones 9-11) Size: 2 - 6 ft. Growth rate: moderate.
Lighting:
Full sun to part shade. Leaves: 3/4 in. red when young turn
glossy green. Flowers: white but not showy.
Possible Pests:
Psyllid - insect that turns leaves bumpy - spray systemic insecticide.
Comments:
#1 choice, dense growth, frost damage at 30°F.
Fern Pine
( Podocarpus gracilior ) (USDA Zones 8-11) Size: 4 - 20 ft. Growth
rate: moderate.
Lighting:
Full sun to part shade. Leaves: bright green, 1 to 2 in. Flowers:
insignificant.
Possible Pests:
Aphids in spring - spray Malathion.
Comments:
Use for larger sized topiaries, less formal due to leaf size.
Holly
( Ilex species ) (USDA Zones 2-11) Size: 2 - 10 ft. Growth rate:
moderate. Lighting: Full sun to part shade.
Leaves:
Size and colors vary ( most have spines ). Flowers: insignificant. (
most have red berries )
Possible Pests:
Mostly pest free. Comments: worth noting: Ilex vomitoria ‘Nana’ - small
leaves without spines.
Also Ilex crenata. Japanese holly. especially ‘Bee Hive’
Honeysuckle, Cape ( Tecoma
capensis ) (USDA Zones 9-11) Size: 6 - 10 ft. even larger. Growth
rate: fast.
Lighting:
Full sun to part shade. Leaves: 1/2 to 1 inch, dark, glossy
green. Flowers: orange / red tubular.
Possible Pests:
Mostly pest free. Aphids in spring - spray Malathion.
Comments:
A possible plant choice for larger topiary. Grows fast, requires frequent
trimming.
Junipers
( Many Species ) (USDA Zones 5-11) Size: 2 - 10 ft. Growth rate:
slow to moderate. Lighting: Full sun.
Leaves:
bright green, medium green, or even bluish gray. Flowers:
insignificant.
Possible Pests:
Spider mites - spray Malathion.
Comments:
Good upright forms – ‘Spartan’, ‘Hetzii columnaris’. Good broader forms – ‘Old
Gold’, ‘Mint Green’
Melaleuca,
Pink ( Melaleuca nesophila ) (USDA
Zones 9-11) Size: 4 - 10 ft. Growth rate: fast.
Lighting:
Full sun to part shade. Leaves: bright green, Very fragrant.
Flowers: pink.
Possible Pests:
Aphids in spring - spray Malathion. Comments: Use for larger sized
topiaries only.
Mexican
Heather ( Cuphea hyssopifolia )
(USDA Zones 9-11) Size: 1-2 ft. Growth rate: moderate.
Leaves:
1/4 -1/2 in., bright green. Flowers: pink. Lighting: Full sun to
part shade.
Possible Pests:
Aphids in spring - spray Malathion.
Comments:
Showy flowers, frost sensitive, protect from coldest nights in winter.
Myrtle
( Myrtus communis ) (USDA Zones 8-11) Size: 4-10 ft. Growth rate:
moderate. Leaves: 1 in., bright green.
Flowers:
white. Lighting: Full sun to part shade. If part shade - dry soil a
must.
Possible Pests:
Root rot disease caused by too much water. Let soil dry out in between watering.
Comments:
Good choice, heat tolerant. Fertilize at half strength.
Myrtle,
Dwarf ( Myrtus compacta ) (USDA
Zones 8-11) Size: 1 - 5 ft. Growth rate: moderate.
Lighting:
Full sun to part shade. Leaves: Very small 1/4 in., bright green.
Flowers: white but not showy.
Possible Pests:
Root rot disease caused by watering to often. Let soil dry out in between
watering.
Comments:
Dense growth, fine texture, drought tolerant. Fertilize at half strength.
New
Zealand Tea ( Leptospermum
scoparium ) (USDA Zones 9-11) Size: 2 - 5 ft. Growth rate:
moderate.
Lighting:
Full sun. Leaves: Tiny, dark green. Flowers: colors: pink,
white, red.
Possible Pests:
Mostly pest free. Can succumb to root rot if soil stays to wet.
Comments:
Drought tolerant. Very showy when flowering. Fertilize at half strength
Olive,
Dwarf, Fruitless (Olea 'Little
Ollie') (USDA Zones 8-11) Size: 2 - 5 ft Growth rate: slow to
moderate.
Lighting:
Full sun to part shade. Leaves: Medium green 1 in. Flowers:
No flowers, No fruit.
Possible Pests:
Yellowing leaves caused by too much water. Let soil dry out before watering.
Comments:
Patented plant. Valued for being a true fruitless olive.
Pittosporum, Wheelers ( Pitt.
t.'Wheeler's dwarf' ) (USDA Zones 9-11) Size: 2 - 4 ft. Growth rate:
moderate.
Lighting:
Full sun to part shade. Leaves: bright green, glossy, 1 to 2
inches. Flowers: insignificant.
Possible Pests:
Aphids - spray Malathion. Comments: A good plant for simple shapes
between 2 and 4 feet.
Privet,
Dwarf ( Ligustrum ‘Compacta’ )
(USDA Zones 8-11) Size: 3 - 6 ft. Growth rate: moderate.
Lighting:
Full sun to part shade. Leaves: medium green, 1 -2 in.
Flowers: white.
Possible Pests:
Aphids - spray Malathion. Comments: Use for larger sized topiaries.
Pyracantha
( Pyracantha ) (USDA Zones 7-11) Size: 2 - 10 ft. Depending on
variety. Growth rate: fast.
Lighting:
Full sun to part shade. Leaves: 1 - 2 in. medium green. Also has
thorns. Flowers: white. ( Orange berries )
Possible Pests:
Fire blight: a disease that kills shoots. Cut off infected growth, sterilize
pruners with bleach after each cut.
Comments:
Commonly used due to fast growth and nice look, however, thorns, berries and
fire blight are significant cons.
Rosemary,
Trailing ( Rosmarinus prostrata )
(USDA Zones 8-11) Size: 1 - 3 ft. Growth rate: moderate.
Lighting:
Full sun, does not like shade. Leaves: Small, dark green, glossy.
Flowers: lavender, can be very showy.
Possible Pests:
Aphids - spray Malathion. Powdery mildew - white powder on leaves - spray
fungicide.
Comments:
Good plant for small topiary, drought tolerant, needs full sun.
Rosemary,
Upright ( Rosmarinus officinalis)
(USDA Zones 8-11) Size: 2 - 5 ft. Growth rate: fast.
Lighting:
Full sun, does not like shade. Leaves: Small, dark green.
Flowers: lavender, in winter, can be showy.
Possible Pests:
Aphids - spray Malathion. Powdery mildew - white powder on leaves - spray
fungicide.
Comments:
Very dense growth, drought tolerant, needs full sun.
Yew
( Taxus densiformis ) (USDA Zones 4-11) Size: 2 - 5 ft. Growth
rate: slow - moderate. Lighting: sun, or shade.
Leaves:
Small, dark green. Flowers: insignificant. (has small berries that are
poisonous)
Possible Pests:
Aphids in spring, or mealy bugs - spray Malathion.
Comments:
Good choice for colder climates. Must have well draining soil.
Moss-filled Topiaries Plants
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.
| 
