This is the journal of my endeavours to grow a range of fruit, veg and flowers from seed, grow organically, and my attempts to create a personal paradise with 1/2 acre of maintained gardens and 1/2 acre wild meadows. Northern Ireland's average daily high temperatures are 18 °C (64 °F) in July and 6 °C (43 °F) in January. Soil type: Clay

Thursday, 17 February 2011

Holly Topiary

Quite a number of years ago I was given an unwanted holly tree, about 1 foot tall at the time. I stuck it in a little spot in the garden and as it grew I thought it was naturally shaping into three separate areas with some baldy patches. So... one day I started cutting & chopping... cuttng here, cutting there... it became a 3-tiered topiary tree. My first attempt at a topiary and although not perfect I'm kinda proud of it. Above: Holly topiary in need of a 'hair cut'. Photo taken Aug 2010.
Above: Photo taken Feb 2011.
Above: my garden helper at the weekend.
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11 comments:

  1. Jo17 February 2011 at 01:55

    You've done a really good job, I can't believe it's your first attempt.

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  2. Egretta Wells blog17 February 2011 at 08:13

    I can't believe you did that so well! My boxwood topiary came that way, and it is hard to keep it that way...hard on ones' arms, for one thing, to do the trimming. Good job! I love your garden helper.. she is good company.

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  3. Mark Willis17 February 2011 at 10:21

    Yay! I love seeing pictures of your "Garden helpers". Holly topiary looks great too - I bet you needed a good pair of stout gloves when doing that.

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  4. Peggy17 February 2011 at 12:44

    Hi Kelli, most great ideas begin with " I wonder if....", you worked with what you had and it has turned out brilliantly! it may be the only Holly topairy in the world!

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  5. ann17 February 2011 at 18:34

    Kelli, Every garden needs a helper. Your topiary looks wonderful. It really adds interest to the garden. Placed at the corner of the house, it adds height to the corner and you gain the 3 layers of good design. Looks quite nice. cheers. ann

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  6. Sue Garrett18 February 2011 at 02:31

    Thanks for visiting my blog Kelli, I've heard the shape of your holly tree described as cloud pruning so you must have learned an advanced technique without realising it

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  7. Elly's kleine idylle19 February 2011 at 08:52

    Hi Kelli, Everytime I visit your blog I am positive surprised about what I see. I have good news for you. I have selected you to receive the Stylish Blogger Award. To find out more, visit www.ellystuin.com
    P.S. I have not followed all the requirements.

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  8. What's in a day19 February 2011 at 09:52

    Congratulations with your award. I visited Elly's blog and saw your name.
    Your blog is also fabulous, i like to come back.

    Greetings from Eefie

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  9. Anonymous19 February 2011 at 17:32

    Now that is a charming topiary indeed! I love it! I recently saw one like it somewhere, perhaps on television, and admired that shape. I see your crocus are already blooming, I think we have a wait till ours appear. I can hardly wait, winter has been long and cold.

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  10. Kelli20 February 2011 at 09:02

    Hi Elly, thanks very much for selecting me for the Stylish Blogger Award, very much appreciated. Congrats on your recent awards as you have a very beautiful blog.

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  11. Linda20 February 2011 at 09:05

    Very creative - good for you!

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