Living Sculptures - New Landscaping Technologies

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

It is one thing to cut a ready-made shrub into a certain shape, and it is another to grow an original living sculpture from small cuttings. Both methods are time consuming and creative. But the second option gives more possibilities for color solutions, the use of non-standard approaches. Let's consider the principles of creating figures from living plants

The art of topiary itself includes several directions:

• cutting trees, shrubs for a certain shape (ball, spiral, animal);

• growing of climbing plants on frames, formed under geometric shapes or animals;

• filling the metal base with soil, planting cuttings (vertical beds).

Curly haircut

Draw a project on paper. Then they transfer it to a certain bush in nature. They lend themselves well to haircuts: cotoneaster, yew, boxwood, privet, holly. I have seen beautiful compositions based on this technology in Peterhof.

Growing on frames

There are two types:

1. In advance, put on a metal frame of complex configuration on a young plant. They are waiting for the branches to grow to the desired size (sometimes it takes more than one year). All protruding shoots outside the structure are cut off. Over time, a conceived figure is obtained. It remains only to maintain it in a given form.

2. A climbing plant is planted. They put a metal base on it. Above the 3 sheet, pinch the growth point. Side shoots appear. They are also pruned. This is how a lush plant is formed. It braids the entire frame. The shoots leaving the form are cut off. For these purposes, fast-growing vines are suitable, both annual and perennial, wintering well without shelter.

Volumetric figures with ground

This view is the most interesting. It makes it possible to create "masterpieces" of different colors and surface textures. Plants are selected that well tolerate a haircut with closely spaced small leaves (several types of tradescantia, ground cover perennials - sedum, sedum).

The only drawback of this method is that every year you have to plant the base again, growing the source material in greenhouses. Such plantings require careful maintenance (weeding, haircuts, frequent watering).

Creation technology

A metal frame made of wire and mesh is taken as a basis. Bearing faces are made of thicker material. Fastened together by welding or strapping thin wire. The first option is more reliable, sturdy, durable. The cell for planting is selected shallow. The optimal size is 5 by 5 cm.

Let's take a duck as a basis. In the upper part of the body and head, overhead nets (such as a removable cover) are made for the convenience of filling the soil.

Mix chopped straw or hay with fertile soil loosened with a little sand. Soak the composition in a container. The bottom of the duck is lined with straw. Then the soil is squeezed out of excess water. Layers tightly fit it into the mold, leaving no empty gaps, up to the very top. Return to the place of the "cover".

Stir the mullein and earth in equal amounts. Moisturize to a thick sour cream. Coat the structure outside. They wait 2-3 hours for the nutrients to pass inside, and the top layer dries slightly.

Seedlings are prepared in greenhouses in early spring. Cuttings 3-4 cm long are cut at an acute angle, removing the lower leaves, leaving 2 upper ones. Holes are punctured with a thin stick or wire. Insert the handle, press the soil tightly against it. Each cell (depending on size) takes 3-5 branches. They move from the bottom to the top (this process is very long, requires a lot of patience and perseverance).

Then the entire structure is carefully watered with a fine spray from a sprayer so as not to cause soil erosion. If the figure is small, use a hand spray. After the end of planting, the "flower bed" is shaded for 3 days from direct sunlight, for better rooting of cuttings.

Further care is reduced to daily watering in a drought, feeding once a week with fertilizer "Kemira Lux" or "Zdraven". As they grow back, they carry out a haircut in the evening hours. After it, watering is mandatory.

When the vegetation completely covers the ground, the vertical flower bed will sparkle with all the colors. Will definitely attract the attention of neighbors to your flower garden. Will delight all summer! The next year, you can try a more complex design, eventually increasing the number of art objects in the garden.