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Topiary Plants Abelia 'Edward Goucher ( Abelia grandiflora ) (USDA Zones 7-11) Size: 3 - 5 ft. Growth rate: moderate.
Lighting: Full sun to part shade. Leaves: Small, glossy. Flowers: pink in summer and fall. Anisodontea ( Anisodontea capensis ) (USDA Zones 9-11) Size: 3 - 5 ft. Growth rate: Fast. Lighting: Full sun to part shade. Leaves: Med. green 1 in. Flowers: pink. Suggestion: Fast growing plant, requires frequent trimming. Boxwood, African ( Myrsine africana ) (USDA Zones 9-11) Size: 1 - 5 ft. Growth rate: moderate. Lighting: Full sun to part shade. Leaves: Small, round, dark green, glossy. Flowers: insignificant. Suggestion: Smaller leaves than Japanese boxwood, needs well draining soil. Boxwood, Japanese ( Buxus japonica ) (USDA Zones 6-11) Size: 2 - 5 ft. Growth rate: moderate. Lighting: Full sun to part shade. Leaves: Small bright green, glossy, can turn yellow in winter. Flowers: insignificant. Suggestions: Varieties ‘Winter Gem’ and ‘Winter Green’ hold green color in winter. Escallonia ( Escallonia fradesii ) (USDA Zones 8-11) Size: 3 - 6 ft. Growth rate: moderate. Lighting: Full sun to part shade. Leaves: 1/2 - 1 in. medium glossy green. Flowers: pink to red. Suggestions: Good for medium sized topiary, Apple Blossum variety 'compacta' good for small topiary Eugenia, Brush Cherry ( Eugenia myrtifolia ) (USDA Zones 9-11) Size: 4 - 30 ft. Growth rate: fast. Lighting: Full sun to part shade. Leaves: 1 in. red; when young turn glossy green. Flowers: White but not showy. Suggestions: Good for larger topiary, fast grower, frost damage at 30°F. Eugenia, Dwarf ( Eugenia compacta ) (USDA Zones 9-11) Size: 2 - 6 ft. Growth rate: moderate. Lighting: Full sun to part shade. Leaves: 3/4 in. red when young turn glossy green. Flowers: white but not showy. Suggestions: #1 choice, dense growth, frost damage at 30°F. Fern Pine ( Podocarpus gracilior ) (USDA Zones 8-11) Size: 4 - 20 ft. Growth rate: moderate. Lighting: Full sun to part shade. Leaves: bright green, 1 to 2 in. Flowers: insignificant. Suggestions: Use for larger sized topiaries, less formal due to leaf size. Holly ( Ilex species ) (USDA Zones 2-11) Size: 2 - 10 ft. Growth rate: moderate. Lighting: Full sun to part shade. Leaves: Size and colors vary ( most have spines ). Flowers: insignificant. ( most have red berries ) Comments: worth noting: Ilex vomitoria ‘Nana’ - small leaves without spines, Also Ilex crenata. Japanese holly. especially ‘Bee Hive’ Honeysuckle, Cape ( Tecoma capensis ) (USDA Zones 9-11) Size: 6 - 10 ft. even larger. Growth rate: fast. Lighting: Full sun to part shade. Leaves: 1/2 to 1 inch, dark, glossy green. Flowers: orange / red tubular. Suggestions: A possible plant choice for larger topiary. Grows fast, requires frequent trimming. Junipers ( Many Species ) (USDA Zones 5-11) Size: 2 - 10 ft. Growth rate: slow to moderate. Lighting: Full sun.. Suggestions: Good upright forms – ‘Spartan’, ‘Hetzii columnaris’. Good broader forms – ‘Old Gold’, ‘Mint Green’ Melaleuca, Pink ( Melaleuca nesophila ) (USDA Zones 9-11) Size: 4 - 10 ft. Growth rate: fast. Lighting: Full sun to part shade. Leaves: bright green, Very fragrant. Flowers: pink. Suggestions: Use for larger sized topiaries only. Mexican Heather ( Cuphea hyssopifolia ) (USDA Zones 9-11) Size: 1-2 ft. Growth rate: moderate. Leaves: 1/4 -1/2 in., bright green. Flowers: pink. Lighting: Full sun to part shade. Suggestions: Showy flowers, frost sensitive, protect from coldest nights in winter. Myrtle ( Myrtus communis ) (USDA Zones 8-11) Size: 4-10 ft. Growth rate: moderate. Leaves: 1 in., bright green. Comments: Good choice, heat tolerant. Fertilize at half strength. Root rot caused by too much water. Let soil dry out in between watering. Myrtle, Dwarf ( Myrtus compacta ) (USDA Zones 8-11) Size: 1 - 5 ft. Growth rate: moderate. Lighting: Full sun to part shade. Leaves: Very small 1/4 in., bright green. Flowers: white but not showy. Comments: Dense growth, fine texture, drought tolerant. Fertilize at half strength. Root rot caused by watering too often. Let soil dry out in between watering. New Zealand Tea ( Leptospermum scoparium ) (USDA Zones 9-11) Size: 2 - 5 ft. Growth rate: moderate. Suggestions: Drought tolerant. Very showy when flowering. Fertilize at half strength Olive, Dwarf, Fruitless (Olea 'Little Ollie') (USDA Zones 8-11) Size: 2 - 5 ft Growth rate: slow to moderate. Lighting: Full sun to part shade. Leaves: Medium green 1 in. Flowers: No flowers, No fruit. Suggestions: Patented plant. Valued for being a true fruitless olive. Pittosporum, Wheelers ( Pitt. t.'Wheeler's dwarf' ) (USDA Zones 9-11) Size: 2 - 4 ft. Growth rate: moderate. Lighting: Full sun to part shade. Leaves: bright green, glossy, 1 to 2 inches. Flowers: insignificant. Suggestions A good plant for simple shapes between 2 and 4 feet. Privet, Dwarf ( Ligustrum ‘Compacta’ ) (USDA Zones 8-11) Size: 3 - 6 ft. Growth rate: moderate. Lighting: Full sun to part shade. Leaves: medium green, 1 -2 in. Flowers: white. suggestions: Use for larger sized topiaries. Pyracantha ( Pyracantha ) (USDA Zones 7-11) Size: 2 - 10 ft. Depending on variety. Growth rate: fast. Lighting: Full sun to part shade. Leaves: 1 - 2 in. medium green. Also has thorns. Flowers: white. ( Orange berries ) Suggestions: Commonly used due to fast growth and nice look, however, thorns, berries and fire blight are significant cons. Rosemary, Trailing ( Rosmarinus prostrata ) (USDA Zones 8-11) Size: 1 - 3 ft. Growth rate: moderate. Lighting: Full sun, does not like shade. Leaves: Small, dark green, glossy. Flowers: lavender, can be very showy. Possible Pests: Aphids - spray Malathion. Powdery mildew - white powder on leaves - spray fungicide. Comments: Good plant for small topiary, drought tolerant, needs full sun. Rosemary, Upright ( Rosmarinus officinalis) (USDA Zones 8-11) Size: 2 - 5 ft. Growth rate: fast. Lighting: Full sun, does not like shade. Leaves: Small, dark green. Flowers: lavender, in winter, can be showy. Suggestions: Very dense growth, drought tolerant, needs full sun. Yew ( Taxus densiformis ) (USDA Zones 4-11) Size: 2 - 5 ft. Growth rate: slow - moderate. Lighting: sun, or shade. Leaves: Small, dark green. Flowers: insignificant. (has small berries that are poisonous) Suggestions: Good choice for colder climates. Must have well draining soil.
Ivy ( Hedera species ) (USDA Zones 5-11) (indoors anywhere) Size: 2 - 10 ft. Growth rate: moderate. Lighting: Full sun to shade. Avoid hot summer sun. Leaves: Small bright green, glossy. Flowers: insignificant. Suggestions: Most often used for topiaries frames that are stuffed with moss. Possible choice for shady areas.
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