An ivy topiary is a shaped decorative plant made with certain types of ivy. Natural or artificial ivy plants are cut or molded around a guide to give them an attractive shape. This type of plant can be kept indoors and outdoors in most climates. Though outdoor topiaries are more recognizable, ivy topiaries are commonly seen as gift centerpieces for the dinner table. Many florists offer ivy topiaries for gift delivery.
A topiary is a type of shaped plant created by training the shape of the plant. A wide variety of plants are used to make topiaries, including ivy, but most true topiaries are made from trees or shrubs, not ivy. Ivy is more commonly used to create a somewhat false topiary by giving the appearance of a topiary without the time it takes to train the plant. This is done by applying live ivy to a shape, usually wire, that makes the ivy look like a trained plant.
Topiaries can be small, decorative objects placed indoors, most often as a table centerpiece, which is the most common use for an ivy topiary. Decorative topiary centerpieces are usually gifts, and often come planted inside a small pot. Outdoor topiaries are more common than those found indoors. Most people recognize them as the animal-shaped bushes seen in well-kept gardens. Topiaries are a common form of plant decorative art all over the world. Many famous topiaries grow in gardens England, Italy, and the United States.
The name ivy refers to one of many different types of plants, some of which are commonly used for landscaping. Ivy topiaries are often made of a type of English ivy. English ivy is the most popular type of ivy for landscaping because it is versatile. In addition to its suitability as a clumping plant used to make topiaries, it is also a good ground cover for areas with moist soil and partial shade.
Indoor ivy plants thrive on several hours of direct sunlight, so an indoor ivy topiary will need special placement to make sure it gets enough light. When growing an ivy topiary indoors, it needs considerably less water than it will outdoors. If an indoor ivy plant needs water, the top layer of the soil will appear dry even though roots are still moist. Indoor ivy topiary plants do best when their roots are kept evenly moist. An ivy topiary will do best when given water that is lukewarm to room temperature, which helps to avoid shocking the sensitive roots of the ivy topiary plant.