Topiaries and Ornamental Standards

Many Topiaries and Ornamental Standards thrive in our Florida climate! Topiaries are plants that are pruned into ornamental shapes including balls, cones, and spirals or more intricate designs such as animals or birds. A Standard is a “lollipop” shaped form similar to a small tree with a bare trunk and round ball of leaves and blooms at the top.

Topiaries and Standards come in both evergreen varieties as well as flowering plants. As medium sized plants, they create a perfect middle ground between low growers and high bushes or trees. These plant styles create a focal point in your garden and enhance your landscape. They can be planted on their own or in groups to add a unique touch to your garden.

Evergreen Topiaries will stay green throughout all seasons of the year. Here in northeast Florida, the most popular evergreen Topiaries include Eugenia, Juniper, and Podocarpus. Each of these can be shaped in many ways, but they are typically found shaped in cones or in 1-, 2-, or 3-balls stacked vertically.

Ornamental Standard trees are flowering plants that add vibrant color to your landscape. Most have one round ball at the top of the tree and require light pruning to maintain that shape. Look for Standards such as Angelina, Sapphire Duranta, and Shrimp Plants to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard. For a tropical look, select a Hibiscus Standard tree, available in a variety of colors. Hibiscus Standards can even be found grafted to include three different colors of blooms on one tree! If you have more of an English garden landscape, consider a Rose Tree Standard or Gardenia Standard for height and sweet-smelling blooms. A Mandevilla is typically a climbing vine, but it is also available as a Standard for a stunning feature in your landscape!

Topiaries and Ornamental Standards are also beautiful in planters. They provide height to the arrangement and can be surrounded with draping vines or seasonal annuals. These planters are perfect for framing a front entrance or highlighting a back patio.

Happy planting!

Flower of the Week: Hibiscus Standard

Please email Kathy at kcg.pvr@gmail.com for any questions or gardening tips you would like to see in the future. For more information and ideas, visit Kathy’s Creative Gardens & Nursery, 196 N. Roscoe Blvd. The phone number is 904-655-7373.