As the cold weather approaches, gardeners start prepping their yards and begin winterizing their plants. If you have topiaries in your garden, you may be wondering – do topiary trees last in winter?
The good news is, with proper care most topiary trees can survive the winter months. However certain steps need to be taken to protect them from harsh conditions. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know to help your topiary trees thrive this winter.
To make a topiary, you cut back shrubs or trees and train them into shapes like spirals, cubes, pyramids, and more. Boxwood, yew, privet, and holly are the plants that are most often used for topiary.
Since topiaries require frequent clipping to maintain their shape, there is some maintenance required in winter as well. However, the efforts are well worth it when you can enjoy the unique beauty these living sculptures bring to your winter garden.
Most topiaries can survive freezing temperatures and grow back healthy in the spring if they are taken care of properly. But before winter comes, some work needs to be done.
Evaluating the Winter Hardiness of Your Topiaries
The first thing you should do is check to see where your topiaries are hardy. This determines which plants can survive winter in your area.
Here’s a quick overview of the winter hardiness of some popular topiary plants:
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Boxwood – Extremely hardy, can survive even in freezing zones of -15°F (-26°C).
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Yew – Very hardy, survives down to -10°F (-23°C).
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Holly – Hardy to about 0°F (-18°C).
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Privet – Tolerates cold to -5°F (-15°C).
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Lavender – Not hardy, requires winter protection.
If you live in an area with very cold winters, boxwood and yew are the best choices. Hollies and privets will need some protection. Tender varieties like lemon verbena and lavender should be overwintered indoors.
Preparing Your Topiaries for Winter
Once you know your topiaries can survive the winter ahead, follow these tips to prep them:
Provide Winter Protection
For marginally hardy plants, provide protection like burlap wrappings or a temporary greenhouse-like structure. This shields them from harsh winds and frost.
Water Well Before Ground Freezes
Give your topiaries a thorough, deep watering in late fall. This hydration will help sustain them once the ground is frozen.
Apply a Protective Mulch Layer
Putting down 2 to 4 inches of bark, leaves, straw, or pine needles as mulch keeps the soil and roots from freezing.
Prune Away Dead Branches
In fall, do light pruning to remove any dead or damaged branches. This prevents disease and improves air circulation.
Avoid Late Season Fertilizing
Fertilizing late encourages new growth that is vulnerable to cold damage. Resume feeding in spring.
Check Soil Drainage
Improve drainage if your soil stays wet for too long. Excess moisture can damage roots in winter.
Ongoing Winter Topiary Care
Even when topiary trees go dormant in winter, some basic care is required:
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Water during warm spells – Occasionally water when temperatures are above 40°F (4°C) and ground isn’t frozen.
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Watch for rabbit or deer damage – Apply repellents; install fencing if needed.
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Do occasional light pruning – Trim back damaged branches; refine shape.
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Check for signs of disease or pest issues – Take preventive action early before problems spread.
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Remove heavy snow loads – Use a broom to gently sweep off excess piled up snow.
Stay alert and attend to your topiaries as needed even during the colder months. This vigilance will keep them healthy through winter.
Common Winter Problems and Solutions
Despite your best efforts, issues can sometimes pop up when caring for topiaries in winter:
Wilting or drooping – This is usually caused by desiccation from dry winds or winter sun. Increase watering frequency.
Browning of foliage – Protect topiaries from harsh sunlight and wind exposure. Mulch for added insulation.
Pest damage – Check regularly for signs of chewing or webbing from rabbits, deer or caterpillars. Apply repellents.
Disease infection – Improve air circulation and quickly remove infected parts. Disinfect tools after pruning diseased branches.
Sunscald injury – Sudden daytime warming followed by freezing nights can damage bark. Paint trunks with white latex paint to reflect heat.
Stay vigilant for any issues and take prompt corrective action before they worsen or spread.
Preparing Topiaries for Spring
As spring approaches, here are some tips for transitioning your topiaries from winter back to growth mode:
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Gradually remove winter protections as weather warms.
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Rake back mulch to allow soil to warm up faster.
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Resume regular watering when ground thaws.
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Apply fresh layer of compost or slow-release fertilizer to feed emerging growth.
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Do major corrective pruning to restore desired shape before new growth obscures branches.
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Watch for early signs of new leaf buds or stem swelling, indicating plants are breaking dormancy.
With this renewal care, your topiaries will revive and regain their vigour, ready to showcase their beautiful sculped forms.
Caring for topiaries through a long winter is very doable with proper planning and protection. Evaluate the hardiness of your plants, provide winter shelter as needed, maintain occasional care, and stay alert for any issues. With diligence and proactive precautions, you can ensure your topiary trees survive and thrive season after season.
Though dormant in winter, topiaries remain resilient living art that withstands the chill and bounce back beautifully when spring arrives. The efforts to sustain them even in cold months is rewarded by their unique, sculptural presence gracing your garden all year round.
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The Hardiness of Topiary Trees
When I first delved into the world of topiary, I was captivated by the artistry involved in shaping these plants. But with that fascination came a steep learning curve, especially regarding their hardiness in winter. I remember losing my first topiary, a delicate lemon verbena, in its first winter because I didn’t know how easily it would die in the frost. Now, I stick to hardy species like boxwood and yew, which have become my winter warriors.
Here’s a handy table to compare popular topiary species and their winter hardiness:
| Type of Topiary | Winter Hardiness | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boxwood | Very Hardy | Retains shape and color; my winter favorite! |
| Yew | Very Hardy | Thrives in cold; easy to care for. |
| Holly | Hardy | Offers festive berries; a winter delight. |
| Lemon Verbena | Not Hardy | Best kept indoors; learned that the hard way! |
TOPIARY AND STATUARY WINTER PREP!
FAQ
How long do topiary trees last in winter?
Most topiary trees do not die in the winter if they’re evergreen. Deciduous trees, ones that lose their leaves in the fall, are also often cold-weather hardy. You will find exceptions, some plants cannot survive in extended cold temperatures.
What do you do with a topiary in the winter?
Light Exposure In winter, I keep our topiary inside near a sunny window or in a location that receives bright light. Once spring arrives and there is no longer a chance of frost, I move them outdoors to the patio where they receive approximately 4 hours of direct sunlight.
How do you keep an outdoor topiary alive?
Most topiaries thrive in warmth, humidity and sunlight—not unlike us! “Humidity keeps topiaries healthy and happy. During the winter, when many plants that were outside are brought inside to avoid the cold, you can mist the plant (even if it’s only once a week) to keep the leaves moist on the outside.
What are the disadvantages of topiary?
It Requires Tree Upkeep & Maintenance While it shouldn’t come as a surprise, topiary can be expensive, and upkeep needs to be regular. Dissimilar to your usual tree and shrub trimming and pruning, the designs and shapes tend to grow out.