Whilst traditional topiary relies on patience and a steady hand, modern topiary often includes the use of shaped wire cages to help guide clipping. If you are new to this type of gardening, you might want to start with a simple topiary using ivy (Hedera). This is an excellent plant to use for your first project as it's easy to grow and train - within just a few months it can cover a frame and give the look of topiary.

In this section, you'll find  a number of guides to creating both simple and complex topiary shapes.