Buxus Topiary Help - Some advice please

Discussion in 'New Members Introduction' started by Domini, Sep 12, 2018.

  1. Domini

    Domini Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi all :)

    Just wondering if any of you fine gardeners would be able to give me some much needed advice please?

    I have just bought two rather sad looking buxus topiaries from the reduced section in my local garden centre, one a spiral & the other a cone shape for much less than the original price. The spiral one wasn't in to bad a condition just a few dead leaves which I have since trimmed but the cone had lost a lot of its inner leaves & was looking quite bald inside when I parted the outer branches.

    I have always dreamt of having a buxus spiral either side of my front door but could never afford the hefty price so when I saw these I thought I could give revive them with some much needed tender loving care & shape the cone boxwood into a spiral to match the other.

    After watching a demonstration on shaping a spiral topiary on YouTube I set about trying to transform the cone into a spiral but it didn't quite work out as I had hoped. As you can see from my photo's there are many upright stems I cannot cut into to create the matching shape as it will lose the foliage from above. I am not sure if this is because of the loss of the leaves on the inner branches & in time & weekly seaweed feeds they will grow back thus creating more of a matching shape to its Sister or is all hope lost.

    I would so appreciate any advice you lovely, more experienced gardeners may be able to give me

    (please excuse the untidy garden in the photos it's very much a work in progress :snorky:)

    Kindest regards,
    Domini x
     

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  2. WeeTam

    WeeTam Total Gardener

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    Welcome to the site firstly. I think youve done a great job there. I would leave it now and let it recover. Protect it from any nasty winter winds the next few months.Seaweeds a good feed as youve said,i would add an aspirin to the watering can too.

    Topiary is a gradual process taking time hence the high prices charged , times money. Ive got a hedge that had some sort of blight but came back good as new so yours will push out some new leaves im sure. A few twigs might not but no big deal as the new growth will cover any gaps. Patience.....:blue thumb:
     
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    • Domini

      Domini Apprentice Gardener

      Joined:
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      Female
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      Wick Meadows, Wickford
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      Hi WeeTam :)

      Nice to meet you. Many thanks for taking the time to reply to my message & giving me such a warm welcome, this is a great site. Also thank you for such a lovely compliment & great advice, I am thrilled to hear that as I thought I may have messed it up. I will certainly be following your advice & adding an aspirin to the watering can & protecting it from the elements.

      I absolutely appreciate the high cost of a topiary because of the time involved, I don't always have a lot of spare cash (mainly because I can't resist all the wonderful plants out there :snorky:) but I do have a lot of patience & look forward to the day it springs back to life. Pleased to hear your hedge recovered from the dreaded blight.

      Many thanks once again

      Kindest regards,
      Domini :)
       
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