Melinda's Garden Moment Radio Tips

Grow your own holiday decorations using the ancient art of topiary.

All you need are a couple small trailing plants, a metal frame, potting mix, and a container with drainage holes.  Wreaths are a traditional favorite form and small leaved English ivies are the most commonly used plants for indoor topiaries.  But wire vine, Asian star jasmine, and other trailing indoor plants will also work.

Purchase or make a wire frame into the desired shape.  Wreaths, holiday trees, stockings, your imagination, and wire bending abilities are your only limitations.

Securely anchor the form into the container.  Then plant several small plants with long trailing stems in the pot alongside the form.  Wind the vines up and through the form to get the living sculpture started. 

Grow your topiary in a bright location and water as needed. Continue to train the plants to grow throughout the form and clip stray branches as needed.

A bit more information: English ivies are susceptible to spider mites.  Proper care and an occasional shower of clear water is often enough to prevent problems.  If populations build, try weekly applications of insecticidal soap.  It’s an organic control that is effective against mites, aphids and many other insects but safe for you, your children and pets.