Topiary Projects

Chair

• On a Connecticut estate, the concept of a garden room takes on a whole new meaning in one of many topiary projects. Boxwood is carefully trimmed into an armchair. The chair back and the arms are plump and rounded and the furniture sits on a lovely hooked rug of concentric curves of green and burgundy ground cover. To the right of the chair, in perfect position for casting a circle of light on the seated occupant, is a weeping cherry tree with a skinny stick of a trunk and a cascade of leafy branches that form a shade. The lamp really works. A hidden fixture in the foliage switches on and off. All you need for this verdant respite is a faithful hound to lie at your feet and a good book.

Puppy

• The enormous structure of petunias, impatiens, begonias, marigolds, lobelias and green foliage practically panted and wagged its tail. Artist Jeff Koons built his particular brand of topiary in Rockefeller Center, on the site of New York City's iconic annual holiday tree, for a summer romp in 2000. The sculpture was called "Puppy" and it required stainless steel armatures to support 25 tons of soil, an internal irrigation system, 70,000 flowering plants and three weeks to install. "Puppy" was first created for a temporary exhibit in Germany and has also visited Australia. A permanent "Puppy" sits outside the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. The artist called his 43-foot tall pet project a symbol of "love, warmth and happiness." It certainly made bees happy. The New York "Puppy" was unplanted in September 2000, but you can travel to Spain for a glimpse of its slightly shorter--40-feet tall--litter mate.

Tea Cup Topiary

• Make a miniature topiary for a party table decoration with moss and flowers. Insert a silk flower stem into a 2-inch foam ball at one end and a 2 ½-inch foam ball at the other end. Glue Spanish moss over the entire 2-inch ball. Pin cut flowers to the ball over the moss---use heritage roses, gerbera daisies or a mix of large-bloom wildflowers. Cut the flowers at the stem and secure them to the ball with long straight pins stuck right through the center of the flower. Tie loopy bows of narrow satin ribbon under the flower topiary, like cascading leaves. Wedge the 2 ½-inch foam ball into a pretty China teacup. Cover the foam base with green florists' moss and glue the cup to its saucer for stability. Use one tiny tea cup topiary for each round guest table at a shower, tea party or gala luncheon.