How to Make a Topiary Shape

Remove any debris from the pruning blades with a damp towel, and sterilize your pruning blades with isopropyl alcohol. Using clean and sterilized equipment ensures you don't transfer disease around your garden.

Consider the original shape of the plant before planning the new shape. For example, don't force a horizontal growing plant into a tall or slender shape, as it won't look right.

Make the initial "rough" shape you desire with long-handled shears, and then make cuts that are more specific, using hand shears. Use the blades to make crisp, clean cuts like you would when pruning any other shrub or tree. Avoid making cuts that tear the bark on the branch, because it may introduce disease and moisture inside the tree. If necessary, recut branches below torn bark.

Remove nonflowering stems only if you plan to change the size and shape of the topiary at another time. Cutting off flowering stems may stunt the branch growth.

Use galvanized circles or embroidery hoops of the appropriate size to help you make your topiary shape more spherical. Use your less dominant hand, or have a friend hold the circle up to the plant, positioning it so the main cluster of branches is located in the imaginary center of your circle. If you are new to forming spherical-shaped topiaries, start out with a larger hoop than what you really want. Adjust the angle of the hoop, by twisting it backward and forward, using the hoop as a guide to ensure your shape stays more sphere-like than if you were to "eye-ball" it.

Step back occasionally while forming your topiary. The new perspective allows you to see what parts of the plant are taking shape, and what parts need more work.

Maintain the shape of the topiary by pruning only diseased or damaged branches and leaves.