How to Braid Plants

Braiding plants is an artistic form of gardening, known as topiary. Gardeners who practice topiary strategically prune and train plants into taking on a new form when growing, such as animals or fully erect trees. Plants may also be trained to grow to a specific height. Add a topiary element to your garden by braiding plants around the home. Place the creations in front of the home to greet guests, or inside to complement interior décor.

2 ft. plant stakes
Pruning shears
Twine

Instructions

- 1
  Select a plant that is well established in garden soil inside or outside the home. Inspect the plant to ensure there are three flexible stems or trunks measuring a minimum of 6 inches, each 1/2 inch in diameter, before braiding.
- 2
  Insert two stakes 3 inches into the soil on the left and right side of the plant. The stakes help keep the plant in an erect position after braiding. Cut the lower leaves from each stem of the plant with pruning shears, while leaving the top sprouting leaves in place. Also remove any thorns on the stems of the plant, leaving the surface of each stem smooth.
- 3
  Hold the center stem with one hand, and the right stem with the other hand. Carefully cross the right stem over the center stem. Then cross the left stem over the right stem. Continue to place each stem over one another to complete the braid.
- 4
  Lightly wrap a strip of twine around the end of the braid to tie the stems together. Then tie the center and top of the braid to the plant stakes as well, keeping the plant in place. Remove the twine from the plant, once the trunk has grown an additional 6 inches, and braid the stems again.

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