In the Garden
Ralph Purkhiser, Purdue University Master Gardener
Last week, we discussed topping, coppicing and pollarding trees. This week, we will continue with what are considered finer types of tree and shrub trimming. These trimming techniques are actually art forms.
Topiary is the art of trimming plants into controlled shapes. This may range from geometrical shapes to making a plant resemble an animal, a machine or even a person. Topiary also includes growing vines and herbaceous plants on wire forms to create a particular shape. Topiaries are often found in very formal gardens, and also are used in amusement parks and many educational institutions.
Some plants lend themselves to topiary. In general, a good topiary candidate is a plant with small leaves and is capable of producing adventitious leaves on old wood. Topiaries need frequent attention. As plants grow, the new leaves may disrupt the intended shape. At the Palace of Versailles, gardeners use scissors to trim back errant growth on a daily basis. I once visited the magnificent topiary gardens of Mr. Pearl Fryor in Bishopville, South Carolina, and was amazed at the fanciful shapes this self-taught artist had shaped from trees and shrubs. However, I later learned that Mr. Fryor had developed health problems, and the gardens quickly deteriorated. Luckily, a local group formed to get the garden back in shape and the volunteers continue to maintain the garden. Many people have been charmed by the spirals carved from spruces and yews, only to discover that maintaining those forms requires frequent and skilled trimming.
Another decorative trimming style often found in formal gardens is espalier. This is the practice of trimming woody plants to grow nearly flat against a wall or a fence. Espaliered fruit trees allow fruit to be grown in gardens that might not have the space for a traditional orchard. Like topiary, espalier requires frequent attention. Wires or twine are often used to train branches to grow in particular directions. A popular espalier shape resembles a candelabra. The making of an espalier garden requires years of training and practice.
One of the most popular trimming styles is the art of bonsai. The word simply means “trees in trays” in Japanese, but over centuries in the orient, the art form has evolved into a precise cultivation method. I have often heard people refer to a bonsai tree as if it were a particular species. Actually, almost any tree may become a bonsai specimen. In addition to trimming and shaping the above-ground portion of the tree, bonsai requires pruning the roots. The traditional goal is to create a miniature form of a tree that is gnarled and windswept, such as one finds in the mountains or other harsh environments. As with espalier, trees are often shaped by wiring the limbs to train them to grow in a desired shape. Experts also carve hollows in trees. Leaves are often removed until the tree develops smaller leaves. Special growing media are usually used for bonsai specimens, often lacking organic components that hold water. Therefore, bonsai trees require frequent watering and attention.
These short descriptions of specialized trimming arts are not intended to be comprehensive. If you are interested in any of these methods, I urge you to get involved with a master of the art you choose. I certainly am not an expert on any of these methods, although I like to dabble in them, and I certainly appreciate the work of the masters.
Fall colors are at their peak in southern Indiana. Get out and enjoy the beauty of nature. If you do not have a favorite viewing place, come sit with me in the giant hands at the top of the cliff at Sandhill Gardens. The colors in the valley below are especially magnificent at sunset.