Is it a tree? Is it a bear? If you're looking at a tree in the shape of a bear, it's a topiary. A topiary is a tree or bush that is trained into a shape. Topiaries are a kind of sculpture. Growing topiary garden takes both time and skill.
The first thing a topiary gardener does is make a drawing. The drawing shows the form the gardener would like a tree or bush to take. The gardener then chooses the bush for the topiary. It may be one that has just been planted or one that is already in place. Special bushes are used for topiaries. These bushes are yew, privet, or boxwood.
In June of the plant's first year, the gardener looks for new leaves. When the leaves grow, it is time to shape the bottom of the bush. The gardener shapes the bottom of the bush for about five years. The top is not trimmed during this time.
In the fifth year, the bush grows tall enough for shaping. That's when the gardener begins to shape the whole bush. Sometimes branches are bent (使弯曲) to form a shape. The gardener ties the branches in place.
Once a topiary has been started, it needs care all year. In summer it must be clipped many times to keep its shape. This cutting also helps the bush grow. In winter the bushes don't grow. The gardeners have to brush snow off the plants. Snow can hurt the flat parts of the plants.
Topiary gardening is a very old art. The Romans did it in the first century. In the sixteenth century, people in Europe liked topiaries too. The Dutch and French grew very pretty topiaries in their neat gardens. In the late 1600s, topiaries were also grown in America. Today, there is a topiary garden in Williamsburg, Virginia. It's much like a garden that grew there hundreds of years ago.
