I sit up late at night and dream of grand property. I don't care that much about grand houses... but grand property demands sheds, hothouses and such so architecture matters. Even so, it's all about the property with me.
I found this image one night whilst searching for ideas for an imaginary hedge at some imaginary place and time.
It's topiary dogs. I get it. I want to do this with labrador retrievers... or cairn terriers... or both.
What I don't get is the Flickr reference: "From the 70's Conran Book."
Terence Conran? Design books?
Does anyone know what this means?
Some silly photo like this is all that is needed to get me moving in an entirely new direction. For example, I found this topiary form on Amazon (a very quick search). Click it if you want. This is inexpensive, and I may buy some, but these could also be quite easily made... and in any shape.
There are also a host of good, inexpensive books available on the subject.
Barbara Gallup's & Deborah Reich's The Complete Book of Topiary - I think the low price on this one is 47 cents! I had to get it!
Linda Yang's - Taylor's Weekend Gardening Guide to Topiaries and Espaliers: Plus Other Designs for Shaping Plants (Taylor's Weekend Gardening Guides) I've ordered this one too. I'm crazy/nuts for Espalier and have been working on an espalier post for WEEKS now.
Patricia Hammer's The New Topiary: Imaginative Techniques from Longwood Gardens Jenny Hendy's Quick and Easy Topiary and Green Sculpture: Create Traditional Effects with Fast-Growing Climbers and Wire Frames David Joyce's and Laura Stoddart's Topiary and the Art of Training Plants And finally Robin Whalley's Knot Gardens and Parterres - I ordered this one too. More of a picture book I think... but pictures are ideas.
You want to know about topiary? How about a throw in a great guy? Go to this page: here
or go here.
Whatever you do, be prepared to be amazed at the finest topiarist (word?) in America, and a great guy to boot. One of the nicest people you would ever meet.
Rick
Posted by: Rick Anderson | December 13, 2006 at 09:41 AM
Hank: go here 1st...
Posted by: Rick Anderson | December 13, 2006 at 09:59 AM
Wow - Hank, thanks for thinking about topiary, and Rick, thanks for the introduction to Pearl!
Now, I have to ask, you've seen "Edward Scissorhands", right?
Posted by: Bruce | December 13, 2006 at 01:51 PM
I'm word-less.
I'm knocked down.
My world view has just shifted.
Posted by: The County Clerk | December 13, 2006 at 05:17 PM
This amazing guy was on the Victory Garden TV show a few years ago. There also used to be some interesting specimens at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL, but my friends tell me that place has gone through major revamps.
The scotties are fascinating - I know I've seen it before somewhere - hope someone has more information on the book from the 70's. I like to look at topiary, but in my own world, want the perimeter hedges tall and full like green walls, so they can block out the other houses . Now in the middle of the property - that would be interesting!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Posted by: Annie in Austin | December 13, 2006 at 06:02 PM
The first night I met my wife we went a-walking in a topiary garden--yews as pawns, as in chess--at night, or 3 in the morning, it was dark and Baroque, and I tried to kiss her, but the long shadows intimidated her and she backed away.
Posted by: Conrad H. Roth | December 14, 2006 at 12:51 PM
Excellent links! I really like the scotties, too.
http://www.topiaryzoo.com/
This link is to a company I found on a search engine when I wanted to start my own 'Oscar the Grouch' topiary-they are helpful and have cool stuff. As for Oscar, he was created from my desire to 'recycle' a galvanized trash can. I made the frame for Oscar's body and arms out of chicken wire and an old birdcage salvaged from the local landfill (too cheap to buy a custom form). He's coming along real slowly though, I'm using asparagus vine for the plant, and it's growing too slowly.
Posted by: lisa | December 14, 2006 at 02:33 PM
http://www.etopiary.com/prod_thezoo_dogs1.htm
Hank! This link has Lab topiary frames!
Posted by: lisa | December 14, 2006 at 02:42 PM
Hank . . . word-less . . . I'm having a hard time with that one.
Edward S. love the movie, but I must confess anything Depp and Burton do I am a big fan of.
Remember, if you ever go to South Carolina stop in Bishopville and see Pearl. It'd be worth it
Posted by: Rick Anderson | December 14, 2006 at 02:48 PM
Hank, did you see the post on Pearl at the Human Flower Project? In the comments, M.S. Stevens talks about an award-winning documentary on him.
Human Flower Project
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Posted by: Annie in Austin | January 03, 2007 at 12:36 AM
I did not even know about the Human Flower project. THANK YOU.
Posted by: The County Clerk | January 04, 2007 at 03:03 AM