Designing and Maintaining Commercial Topiaries

Nothing quite makes a statement like a massive topiary display. Commercial topiary is all about presentation. If you're in the business of designing commercial topiary, it's best to know as much as possible before taking on client work.

The better you are at designing and maintaining commercial topiary the more marketable you will be which in turn will encourage more customers to reach out and inquire about your services. Let's dive into how to design and maintain commercial topiary. Whether it's for a client or simply for your own business, this is a great skill to have.

Choose what will make the shape of the topiary design

There are two topiary types you need to be aware of -- new and old world. Each topiary type is unique in their own ways and require different levels of care.
Old world topiary such as Podocarpus, Eugenia, Boxwood, and yet thrive alongside plants that require regular shearing. New world topiary are plants that grow in sphagnum moss. These plants are adaptable and can thrive in both the sun and the shade. New world topiary tend to grow dense and compact. Examples of new world topiary include Sedge, Ajuga, Stonecrop, Bronco, and Creeping fig.

Watering and supplementation

Watering your topiary on a regular basis, no matter its size, is an absolute must. Your commercial topiary will require just as much love and attention as the rest of the plants in your yard.

If you want to get hi-tech, you can install an internal irrigation system, such as a drip, to keep your topiary properly irrigated. However, this isn't a step that you can rely upon every time to meet the watering needs of your topiary. You may also have to manually water your topiary from time to time if the drip isn't enough on its own.
To avoid burning the foliage, soak the entire plant thoroughly before applying a layer of fertilizer. If you want to give your topiary an extra boost, you can give it bio-nutritional products to help it flourish.

Shape the topiary and keep it defined

Your artistry skills will come into play at this point when you're shaping the topiary. Whether you freehand the design or use a frame, it'll be up to you to keep the shape defined. Topiary doesn't just grow into the shape of the design you desire, so it'll require constant attention to ensure extra growth stays trimmed down.

Remember, the main appeal of commercial topiary is its crisp, clean look, so it would behoove you to invest in the proper tools to keep your topiary design looking its best at all times.

These tools include:
• Hedge clippers
• Scissors
• Electric hand shears
• Pruning shears

Before you begin trimming away make sure your tools are clean and sharp. This will ensure you'll get the cleanest cuts as you're taking care of your topiary.

Practice makes perfect!

The ultimate validation for all of your hard work is when people stop to admire your topiary design appraisingly before going about their business. Presentation is key, especially for commercial topiary, but the more you practice at it the better you'll get. Follow the simple steps in this guide and you'll be designing and maintaining your commercial topiary like a pro in no time.

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