I am a sucker when it comes to ivy topiaries. I
could purchase every single one in sight and still need more. But these
beautiful plants could cost a pretty penny! Well, believe it or not, these gorgeous
additions to the foliage of your home are really quite simple to create on your
own (even for a self proclaimed brown thumb homeowner like myself)
What You'll Need:
•Heavy container, such as terra-cotta or stone
•Saucer for the pot (optional)
•1 (2-quart) bag potting soil
•Handful of time-release fertilizer
•1 (6-inch) potted ivy or 2 (4-inch) potted ivies with
long trailing stems. I prefer easy-to-grow English ivy (Hedera helix).
•Topiary form or wire frame
•Raffia - it stretches with the plant and will even break
if ivy is too big (or you can use string)
Place a small square of window screen (or
panty hose) over the pot's drainage hole, and then fill halfway with potting
soil. Mix in time-release fertilizer according to package directions. Slip
plant from container, center it into your decorative one, and then fill with
soil as needed.
Fit a topiary form into the pot with care.
Make sure that it is secure. Water well; adding more soil if necessary to weigh
it down. Separate trailing ivy stems so that all sides of the pot are covered.
Wrap one runner around a wire - never force stems because they may
snap. Wrap a second runner around the same wire in the opposite direction.
Repeat to cover all wires. Don't jump from one wire to the next with the same
runner as you risk losing form. Tie stems to the frame with raffia.
The prettiest topiary is one where the size of
the plant's leaf is in scale with your wire form.
Large-leafed ivy will fill in a delicate form
quickly, but will also mask the shape of the form. Whereas, small-leafed
miniature ivy looks dense and full until you begin winding it onto a large
obelisk form.
Invest in a coated or painted wire form, they
don't rust and can last for years.
Stick with classic forms.
Snip leaves as necessary to keep the topiary
tight and compact.
Select a weighty container. Stone or
terra-cotta work best, but you can also add stones to the bottoms of other pots.
Keep things in scale when choosing a pot, the
inserted frame should be about twice the height of the container.
What Ivy Needs:
Water: Potted ivy needs good drainage and should never be left in
standing water. Allow the upper inch of soil to become dry to the touch before
watering.
Light: Ivy needs some sun to grow and prefers the medium to
bright filtered light found at the north- and east-facing windows. Avoid direct
sun.
Food: Feed once a month with
a liquid fertilizer according to package directions. Apply to soil only.
No Pests: Scale and spider mites are the most
common culprits. Keep plant clean by removing dead leaves from soil surface.
Place it in the shower every so often and rinse with warm water to remove dust.
If insects appear, spray with insecticidal soap.
Pruning: Keep on it. Ivy plants will become bushy and the topiary
will lose its shape unless snipped and clipped. With clean, sharp pruners, clip
just above where the new branch meets the stem.
Easy, right?
