Gardening Garden Design Garden Projects How to Make a Topiary for Your Garden Topiaries give a garden a classic look and show off meticulous pruning skill. Use simple trimming and staking techniques on a coleus for this DIY topiary. By Susan Appleget Hurst Susan Appleget Hurst Susan Appleget Hurst began sharing her extensive knowledge of growing and using herbs over 30 years ago. In addition to writing countless articles and columns for regional and national media outlets, Susan served as Senior Associate Editor of Garden and Outdoor Living at Better Homes & Gardens magazine. She also was the editor of Garden Shed magazine, Country Gardens, Growing and Using Herbs, Houseplants, and other garden titles for the Better Homes & Gardens and Southern Living families of magazines. Speaking and teaching were her first loves and Susan has conducted hundreds of classes for novice and master gardeners and assisted gardeners with their concerns on live call-in radio shows. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on February 2, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Peter Krumhardt Project Overview Working Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 3 weeks Skill Level: Kid-friendly Topiary is the art of shaping plants into extraordinary forms, but that doesn’t mean creating a topiary must be complicated. Start with the right plant and you’ll have to trim only a few leaves to design an eye-catching topiary standard, or “lollipop.” Most topiaries are perennial plants trimmed and shaped over several years, but fast-growing annuals can also be trimmed into a stylish standard. In just a few weeks, a standard can take shape and hold its good looks all summer. The key is to choose a plant with a naturally strong central stem and attractive foliage—such as an upright coleus with splashy colors—and add sturdy support as it grows. Regular care and feeding, along with an occasional pinch or snip, will keep your standard looking snappy. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Small pruning snips Materials Planter—we used an 8-inch pot—and potting soil Upright coleus with a strong central stem Bamboo stake cut to size 6 twist ties or short lengths of garden twine Instructions Karla Conrad Plant Coleus Fill a planting container 3/4 full with potting soil. Plant the coleus in the planter, no deeper than it was in its original pot. Press soil firmly around the roots. Karla Conrad Clip Off Bottom Leaves Starting at the soil line, clip off all the leaves on the bottom two-thirds of the stem. Use a pruning tool rather than just pulling off the leaves to avoid damaging the stem. Karla Conrad Stake the Plant Carefully insert the bamboo stake next to the plant stem, pushing it to the bottom of the pot. Starting about 2 inches above the soil line, wrap one twist tie around the stake, then gently around the stem. (The tie should make a figure-8 around the stake and stem.) Repeat the procedure every 2-3 inches up the stem. Reserve the remaining ties to use as the plant grows. Water the plant well and continue to care for it as described on the plant tag. 17 Front Yard Landscaping Ideas That Boost Curb Appeal