The topiary ball is a classic garden element, achieved either through trained plant growth or assembled materials. This shape, known for its perfect symmetry, has been a fixture in formal gardens for centuries. Whether planted in a pot or integrated into a landscape, the topiary ball provides a sophisticated, year-round focal point. Creating these forms can be approached through two distinct methods: the slow process of horticultural training, or the quick assembly of decorative materials.
Supplies and Preparation
For the live method, a heavy terracotta or ceramic pot is necessary to provide stability for the growing plant mass. You will also need sharp, clean tools, such as bypass secateurs for initial cuts and hand shears for consistent shaping. The growing medium should be a well-draining, loam-based compost to support the dense root system of a perpetually pruned plant.
For the decorative method, the foundational material is a lightweight, spherical core, typically a dense foam ball or a pre-formed wire frame. Covering the core requires dried sphagnum moss or sheet moss, which is often secured using floral wire or a strong, thin fishing line. If creating a faux foliage ball, you will need a hot glue gun and artificial or preserved plant clippings, such as boxwood.
Creating Live Topiary Spheres
Small-leaved, evergreen shrubs are the best choice for live topiary because their dense growth habit tolerates continuous shearing well. Traditional species like Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) are popular, though alternatives such as Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) are often preferred due to the increasing prevalence of box blight disease.
The training process involves either free-form pruning or using a wire cage as a shaping guide. Establish the plant in its pot and begin lightly clipping the tips of new growth to encourage branching and density. The initial shaping phase may take up to a year to build a solid, leaf-dense structure that holds the sphere’s outline. Once the rough spherical shape is achieved, maintenance pruning begins.
Maintaining the defined shape requires light pruning two to four times during the active growing season. This frequent, light trimming, known as tip pruning, stimulates lateral branching, creating a tight, uniform surface. The final clip of the year should be performed by early to mid-autumn so the new cuts have time to heal before cold weather.
Assembling Decorative Moss Balls
This technique often starts with a solid foam sphere or a pre-made wire basket structure that acts as the core. Dried sphagnum moss is moistened slightly to make it pliable and then tightly pressed onto the surface of the core.
Securing the moss requires a continuous, tight wrapping of thin, clear fishing line or fine-gauge floral wire in a crisscross pattern around the sphere. The tension of the line holds the moss firmly in place, giving the ball its uniform texture. Alternatively, create a faux foliage sphere by using a hot glue gun to attach artificial boxwood stems directly into the foam core.
The faux foliage method demands that the clippings be inserted close together and at varying angles to eliminate any visible gaps in the foam base. Sheet moss can also be used as a quicker covering, often secured with glue or pins, to create a velvety green texture.
Displaying and Maintaining Your Topiary
When displaying a live topiary ball in a container, use a heavy base to prevent tipping. Placing the pot on gravel or pot feet ensures proper drainage, preventing the roots from sitting in saturated soil. For uniform growth and shape density, rotate the plant slightly every month to ensure all sides receive equal amounts of sunlight.
Live topiaries demand regular attention, including a monthly application of a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season. Watering is particularly important for container-grown specimens, often requiring daily checks during hot, dry periods. Decorative moss balls require only occasional dusting and must be kept out of direct, intense sunlight to prevent the moss from bleaching.