Thursday, August 28, 2014

Topiaries Herald Seasons and Occasions

Created by Lori Vollmer, co-owner of Garden Fever!
The Farwest Trade Show, a wholesale show for the horticulture industry, wrapped up August 23. On the show floor we organized a display of sculpted plants, which we defined as plants that have been sheared or trained into a form. Sculpting plants can turn the mundane and common (think Thuja/arborvitae, juniper, spruce, pine or boxwood) into something strikingly visual and attention-grabbing. Several years ago, I decorated a spiral arborvitae for Christmas and was thrilled with the results. So I asked a landscape designer, a garden center owner and a garden center merchandiser to decorate a sculpted plant in the display. The intention was to spark the creativity of people attending the show and to get them to think about sculpted plants differently. Perhaps it will spark your creativity and get you to take a second look at sculpted plants.

From sentimental to creating a statement for the doorstep or event, the creative possibilities are limitless! Have you decorated a sculpted plant with good results?
Created by Paul Taylor , ONCP Garden Design and Consultation, titled Gardening Through the Ages, it is decorated with well-used gloves, children's garden tools and family photos.

Lori Vollmer from Garden Fever! created this 16-foot tall topiary titled Namaste. Perfect for a bridal event or other celebratory gathering.

A close-up of the bottom ball of Namaste, created by Lori Vollmer from Garden Fever! Luscious!

Celebrate Fall with this or a similar design. Created by Sheressa Dolph from Al's Garden Center in Woodburn using a juniper spiral. Her creation is titled Fashionable Fall Fanfare.

My attempt at decorating an arborvitae spiral with a rainbow of plastic ornaments and twinkling white lights that put me and my neighbors in a festive mood.
PS: I’m throwing in some photos of other sculpted plants, many of which were stunning, including the 16-foot tall Heuchera tree by Garden Gallery Iron Works (the Terra Nova Nurseries plants were grown by Blooming Nursery for the display).





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