Creating your own Topiary
Creating your own topiary is very satisfying and actually not that difficult, though it does require a little patience.
For quick growth, try using Lonicera nitida, but if you don't mind taking longer to create your topiary then the slower growing Buxus sempervirens (common box) is a very good plant to use. Buxus responds well to clipping and new growth can be trimmed throughout the growing season (June to the end of August) to retain the plant's shape. Clip as lightly as possible during the first year to allow the roots to establish themselves.
Topiary plants ...
The easiest way to shape a plant is to buy a 2D or 3D topiary frame in a shape that you like, which will then act as a guide for you to clip your plant. As the plant grows and fattens, use a pair of topiary shears to snip the leaves.
Topiary shears ...
Start with a simple shape such as a cube or sphere. With practice you should then be able to progress to more complex shapes, again using a topiary frame as a guide. Among the most popular shapes for topiary are those of small animals such as squirrels, rabbits, dogs and cats. Farmyard birds such as geese, chickens and cockerels are also very popular.
Topiary frames ...
While it is every topiary hobbyist's dream to have an enormous topiary in their garden, beginners would be well advised to start with smaller topiaries in order to get a feel for the clipping process. Once the technique of clipping and shaping has been mastered, larger topiaries can be attempted without using topiary frames as guides.