How to Cut a Topiary Rabbit

Topiary is the art of forming perennial plants into geometric or representative shapes by means of regular pruning. The initial shaping of the plant requires the most artistry, converting a natural, formless bush into an image of something else. Designing wire patterns can aid you in getting the right shape, making it much easier to do complex topiary such as rabbits and other animals.

Instructions

- 1
  Draw a rabbit silhouette on a large piece of paper, the same size as your intended topiary shape. Bend a long piece of wire to conform to this shape, laying it against the drawing periodically to check accuracy. Let both ends of the wire stick straight down at the bottom of the silhouette outline.
- 2
  Bend a second rabbit shape to match the first. The two should be as nearly identical as possible.
- 3
  Choose a bush that is as close to the general shape of your rabbit as possible. Use a pair of long-handled shears to trim it down to the rough outline of the rabbit.
- 4
  Insert one of the wire silhouette patterns into the soil on either side of the topiary, so that the two stand side by side with the bush sandwiched between them. Use a pair of topiary shears to trim the plant down to the exact outline of the wire rabbits.
- 5
  Remove the patterns and add the final touches to the shape, rounding the edges and tapering as desired.

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