Topiary Basics: The Art Of Shaping Plants In Gardens & Containers [Hardcover]

Margherita Lombardi (Author), Christiana Zanetti (Author), John Elsley (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 1998

If you love topiary but think it takes too much time and care, look again. Maybe you can start with a small potted plant, then expand to a trellis or an espalier, until you're ready to create fantastic green sculptures, lively garden paths, and even a labyrinth. Large or small, the methods are the same, and they're all clearly explained with practical illustrations of each step, along with page after page of full-color photos of the world's most magnificent examples. Tips cover choosing plants, and how to use a variety of types, including broadleafs, evergreens, fruit trees, flowering trees, and climbing plants. Learn about tools and accessories, setting out and maintaining plants, and basic pruning techniques. Then you're ready to try your hand at the most popular shapes, including spheres, hearts, baskets, and birds, as well as shapes made with frameworks and structures and multi-tier shapes. Specific projects feature parterres, hedges, interweavings, arcades, green niches, ivy sculptures, trellises, espaliers, and more. 144 pages (all in color), 8 7/8 x 11 1/4. NEW IN PAPERBACK

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (December 31, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806938994
• ISBN-13: 978-0806938998
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 9.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #353,025 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fabulous Primer in Creating Topiary, May 19, 2000

By 

Pauline Flanagan (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Topiary Basics: The Art Of Shaping Plants In Gardens & Containers (Hardcover)

This book rates five stars for its thorough and visually appealing discussion of how to create topiary. I was so thrilled when I received it - it was exactly what I wanted. Not only does it cover the different shapes of topiary, but an excellent discussion of the various plants that may be used, their pluses and minuses, the tools to use, techniques - just everything you would need to know.

The book also includes a great review of the historical uses of topiary in different periods and countries. Best of all, there are fabulous color pictures of topiary gardens and the different topiary types. After reading and consulting this book, I feel certain I can tackle some topiary projects. In case you couldn't tell, I love this book.