New Topiary: Imaginative Techniques from Longwood [Hardcover]

Patricia R. Hammer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1991

It is essential for anyone interested in the shaping of plants for inside and outside decoration. This book will be valued by professional and amateur gardeners for adding that extra bit of theatre which has now become such an important part in our extended inside/outside living. For the first time closely guarded secrets are revealed about the growing stages and maintenance of Longwood's exotic displays, from tiny animals to astonishing creations in chrysanthemums and even self-watering life-size elephants. It will amaze traditional topiary enthusiasts by showing them how classical, formal shapes can be achieved quickly and tastefully. It is a mine of information and inspiration. Years of practical development and research have gone into this book which is a refreshing new look at plant decoration. The snags, pitfalls and the disappointments are eliminated by the confident, step-by-step instructions and ideas of an expert who is the foremost authority in this colourful modem approach to excitin

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Antique Collectors Club Dist; 2nd edition (May 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1870673212
• ISBN-13: 978-1870673211
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #803,996 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique, detailed, extrordinary, June 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: New Topiary: Imaginative Techniques from Longwood (Hardcover)

This book is the best topiary book I have seen. It details Pennsylvania's Longwood Gardens and gives all the trade secrets to their wonderful yearly displays.

The book is lavishly illustrated with color photographs, and detailed black and white sketches. This is truly topiary at its greatest. Included are the yearly carousels (lions, horses and ostriches), a brontosaurus, a dragon, a giant Japanese pagoda, elephants, swans, roosters, and the Wizzard of Oz, to name only a few.

Topiary balls, topiary bells, topiary baskets - all here in every imaginable form! Pruned or Free-Form Topiaries, Wire framed, stuffed - all here! Some of the stuffed topiaries are huge, and this book doesn't skimp on the details on how to create such large moveable topiaries.

The detailed directions in this book are amazing. I want so much to tell you the details and all the great hints - but then you wouldn't buy the book! (and I truly believe this should be in every topiary collection!)

There are standards (the ones that look like lollipop plants) for fuchias, coleus, chrysanthemum, poinsetta, and ivy, hydrangea. The book includes everything - weather, grafting, and some great shortcuts.

There is a section on pests, moss topiary, columns, woven topiaries, grass scupture, watering systems, indoor vs outdoor topiary, how to select frames, how to make them ( even the spot welding for 14-guage wire on the big ones!)

There is a wonderful plant section that details growth rates, growth habits, compatibility, flowering habit and timing and leaf shape for both ivies and plants ( sorry but I didn't feel like counting how many)

And oh, I forgot the frog!

This is just an inspiring book. There is no better word! The examples are among the finest I have seen. The detail is extrordinary and the instruction is superb.

What I found particularly helpful are the techniques for making your topiary moveable. (I move a lot.) Another particular favorite were the tiny topiaries that are sized for a warm and humid bathroom (they're really little).

If you buy one book on topiaries, this is the one I would recommend. It offers both the inspiration and the step by step instruction you need to go with it.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique, detailed, extrordinary, June 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: New Topiary: Imaginative Techniques from Longwood (Hardcover)

This book is the best topiary book I have seen. It details Pennsylvania's Longwood Gardens and gives all the trade secrets to their wonderful yearly displays.

The book is lavishly illustrated with color photographs, and detailed black and white sketches. This is truly topiary at its greatest. Included are the yearly carousels (lions, horses and ostriches), a brontosaurus, a dragon, a giant Japanese pagoda, elephants, swans, roosters, and the Wizzard of Oz, to name only a few.

Topiary balls, topiary bells, topiary baskets - all here in every imaginable form! Pruned or Free-Form Topiaries, Wire framed, stuffed - all here! Some of the stuffed topiaries are huge, and this book doesn't skimp on the details on how to create such large moveable topiaries.

The detailed directions in this book are amazing. I want so much to tell you the details and all the great hints - but then you wouldn't buy the book! (and I truly believe this should be in every topiary collection!)

There are standards (the ones that look like lollipop plants) for fuchias, coleus, chrysanthemum, poinsetta, and ivy, hydrangea. The book includes everything - weather, grafting, and some great shortcuts.

There is a section on pests, moss topiary, columns, woven topiaries, grass scupture, watering systems, indoor vs outdoor topiary, how to select frames, how to make them ( even the spot welding for 14-guage wire on the big ones!)

There is a wonderful plant section that details growth rates, growth habits, compatibility, flowering habit and timing and leaf shape for both ivies and plants ( sorry but I didn't feel like counting how many)

And oh, I forgot the frog!

This is just an inspiring book. There is no better word! The examples are among the finest I have seen. The detail is extrordinary and the instruction is superb.

What I found particularly helpful are the techniques for making your topiary moveable. (I move a lot.) Another particular favorite were the tiny topiaries that are sized for a warm and humid bathroom (they're really little).

If you buy one book on topiaries, this is the one I would recommend. It offers both the inspiration and the step by step instruction you need to go with it.

2.0 out of 5 stars The New Topiary, February 4, 2011

By 

GWTW46 - See all my reviews

This review is from: New Topiary: Imaginative Techniques from Longwood (Hardcover)

The techniques detailed in the book are excellent, but the authors would do well to update the photos which are very dated. I'm sure Longwood has made great strides in developing more topiaries. I was looking for more creative how-to's for some of the newer plants on the market now.