English Emma Blooms

Creating a lavender topiary, also known as a lavender tree, is an enjoyable gardening project that adds elegance to any space. This beginner-friendly guide outlines the steps to craft a beautiful lavender topiary that will thrive for years.

What is a Lavender Topiary?

A lavender topiary involves the art of pruning live lavender plants into decorative shapes. While many associate topiaries with boxwood or yew shrubs, lavender topiaries provide a unique floral twist.

Choosing the Right Plant

Lavender is ideal for topiaries due to its full shape and hardiness across various temperatures and garden zones. Some varieties are more cold-hardy than others, so check labels to determine if winter protection is needed. Healthy, full foliage is essential for successful topiary creation.

Supplies Needed

• Pruners or Garden Snips: For trimming.
• Terra Cotta Pots: They allow for proper drainage.
• Sandy Soil Mix: Combine potting mix with horticultural sand.
• Support Stake: Use bamboo or similar for stability.

Steps to Create Your Lavender Topiary

1. Select the Main Stem: Choose the strongest central stem as the trunk and cut off other stems at the soil level.
2. Remove Lower Leaves: Trim leaves from the lower half of the chosen stem.
3. Water and Care: Regularly water and care for the plant as it adjusts to its new shape.
4. Trim for Shape: Gradually trim side shoots to encourage a fuller topiary form.

Supporting Your Topiary

To keep the lavender upright, tie it to a bamboo stake using pantyhose strips, which are flexible and blend well with the plant.

Experimentation

Different lavender varieties can yield varying topiary heights. Don’t hesitate to experiment with shapes and sizes to find what works best in your garden.

Conclusion

Creating a lavender topiary is a fun and rewarding gardening project that not only beautifies your space but also provides a delightful aroma. With patience and the right techniques, you can enjoy a lovely lavender topiary for years to come.

Happy Gardening!

Now I’m thinking of shifting my chameleon plants (Houttuynia cordata ‘Chameleon’) into the space where the asters used to be. Their variegated leaves—splashes of green, cream, and pink—would brighten up that front spot. They’re tough, too. In full sun, the colors really pop, but even in shade they stay vigorous. I’ll just need to be careful about where I put them. They spread quickly and can take over landscaped areas, so I don’t want them too close to the porch or deck—especially since their leaves give off a smell a bit like diesel fuel when crushed. Not exactly the fragrance you want greeting guests!

From what I’ve learned, chameleon plants do best when they’re planted where they can be contained—like large areas that can be mowed, or even around ponds and boggy spots where their color brightens the wet soil. They can even be potted like water plants for some extra interest in a bog garden. They’re useful and beautiful when managed properly, but if left unchecked they can get invasive, even threatening native plants in some areas. So the trick is to plant them responsibly—take advantage of their vigor and color, but don’t let them escape into the wrong places.

Yesterday while poking around the front bed, I found a little surprise tucked beneath the Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta)—a tricolor plant with variegated foliage, green mixed with cream and purple. I’m not sure what it is yet, but I think I’ll move it to a shady corner in the back and see how it does. Sometimes these little unexpected volunteers turn out to be the best additions.

Every move and transplant feels like a small experiment, and I love watching the garden shift and change with each decision. The chameleons, the asters, the mystery plants—all of them teaching me something new. Gardening keeps me looking closer, waiting more patiently, and celebrating growth in all its unpredictable, beautiful forms.