How to Make a Turtle Topiary From Boxwood

According to Timeless Topiary topiaries have been seen in gardens for more than 2,000 years and have only been out of style for a short while during the Victorian era. Some topiaries are simply well trimmed hedges, while others are formed to create intricate geometric and animalistic shapes. Many different plants can be used to create a topiary including ivy, rosemary and boxwood. With the aid of a pre-formed turtle topiary shape you can turn your boxwood into living art.

Turtle-shaped topiary form
Pruning sheers

Instructions

- 1
  Choose a turtle frame that is the same size, or smaller, than the boxwood you want to shape.
- 2
  Set the turtle form over the center of the boxwood plant.
- 3
  Thread the branches through the turtle frame so that the frame will sit firmly on the ground. You may need to gently bend some of the thin wires of the frame or clip some of the greenery.
- 4
  Pull the branches through the topiary form so the form is covered by greenery.
- 5
  Clip the boxwood into shape following the outline of the wire form closely.
- 6
  Fill in empty spaces with boxwood clippings, or let the boxwood fill in the empty spaces as it grows.
- 7
  Trim the turtle when it begins to loose its shape, usually every couple of weeks.

How to Build an Open-Cup Birdhouse

How to Make a Zen Garden Bridge

Garden Statues