Care of buxus sempervirens, topiary care, how and when to clip topiary buxus balls, topiary instructions, boxwood topiary, clipping topiary trees and topiary centerpieces.

Always work from the top of the plant downwards and from the centre outwards, cutting both sides together to retain a balanced symmetry. Clip your topiary on a dull day and avoid strong sunlight as this will scorch the edge of the leaves.

CLIPPING AND SHAPING TOPIARY PLANTS
Topiary involves much more precise clippinghan is required for normal hedge cutting. Take time, particularly when initially forming topiary pieces, to cut the branchlets carefully to the required shape. Do not cut too much in one place as it may spoil the symmetry of a topiary design for a whole season until new replacement growth appears. Even if you have a good eye for shaping plants, it is sensible to use levels, plumb lines, and any other aids available to check the accuracy of a cut. Always work from the top of the plant downwards and from the centre outwards, cutting both sides together to retain a balanced symmetry.

Clipping a Topairy Hedge

Rounded topiary like buxus balls are easier to produce and maintain than angular, geometric shapes and may often be cut freehand. To produce a spherical shape, first trim the top of the plant and then cut a channel downwards around the circumference to leave a ring. A further ring at ninety degrees should then be cut, leaving four distinct quarters to be trimmed.
Geometric topiary that has precise, flat surfaces and angled or squared edges is difficult to form and maintain successfully and needs to be tackled with confident, accurate