Although it did n’t get the name " topiary " until the Renaissance , the fine art of cutting shrubs and trees into cast goes back as far as the ancient Greeks , Romans and Egyptians . Eugenia myrtifolia , or Australian brush cherry , is a democratic topiary plant , withits dingy green foliage , its wispy flowers and its smart red , non - edible cherries . When you tote up Eugenia topiary to your garden , you join the Italian artists of the Middle Ages and the cottage gardeners of the tight-laced epoch in enjoy living sculptures .
Containers and Placement
Step 1
Your brush cherry red topiary will mature in nearly any type of planter , but unglazed clay pots allow moisture to evaporate from the soil more quickly than glazed terra cotta or plastic container , so the plant may dry out out more , as well . Once you ’ve take a container and planted your bush , set it so that it has plenty of elbow joint room , take in sure it does n’t tinge nearby plant , walls or other objects .
Temperatures and Light
Eugenia will thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 to 11 , although you should report them or otherwise provide fond shelter if the strain temperatures will drop to 32 Fahrenheit degree or lower . Your plant will be happiest with four or more hours of dawning and later - twenty-four hour period , full to partial sunshine .
Water and Food
Your topiary postulate uniform moisture , but it does n’t like soused understructure from standing weewee . Eugenia is also raw to salts in the water , so give your plant distil or repeal osmosis water drinks every day during the warmer calendar month , then irrigate it two or three times a week when the weather condition cools . To eliminate air pockets around the solution that might interfere with water preoccupancy , lower the locoweed into a large vessel filled with water to impregnate the soil completely . After that , irrigate your topiary when the soil dry out to a deepness of about 1/2 inch . course your flora every two to three months with a cosmopolitan - intention 13 - 13 - 13 fertilizer , using the sum recommended on the label for the size of container you are using .
Pruning
Even though Eugenia is a slow - growing plant , topiaries need frequent pruning to maintain their impulsive shapes . Using hired hand pruners or tart horticulture scissors hold , cut the lightsome green new increment from your plant every few hebdomad . If you are starting with a new shrub , you’re able to trim it into cones , balls , tiered poofs or any other shape you’re able to think , although it might take a few long time to see more complicated purpose reach their full effect because of the plant ’s slow maturation habit . Remember that visitant may see your topiary from all position , so be sure you walk around it as you cut back , stop for Libra the Scales and shape all around . you could cut Eugenia back dramatically , so do n’t worry if you miss a scheduled clipping . Always sterilize your shears before and between cutting off to forestall the spread of disease .
References
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