Topiary Plants - Sculptural Shrubs for Garden Art

Starry Wild Jasmine (Boerejasmyn) is a versatile indigenous semi-climber that transforms any garden space with its fragrant white flowers adorned with delicate pink undersides, blooming from September to January.

Why You'll Love It:
• Remarkable South African indigenous plant
• Can reach up to 3m in height as a climber
• Can be pruned into a compact, tidy hedge
• Perfect for diverse landscaping needs
• Promotes biodiversity while attracting beneficial pollinators
• Enhances your garden's sensory experience with exquisite fragrance
• Water-wise indigenous beauty

Planting & Care:
Plant 1-1.5m apart for hedging or use as specimen plants against walls and structures. Feed annually in spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer and enrich soil with quality compost for optimal growth. 

Learn how your garden can support local ecosystems with indigenous plants like Starry Wild Jasmine, or discover tips for creating a scented garden with fragrant indigenous climbers.

One of the brightest ways to define your garden, Duranta 'Nonna's Gold' shines with vivid golden foliage that holds its colour all year. Fast-growing and easy to shape, it's ideal for hedges, borders, or topiary. In summer, delicate lilac-blue flowers add contrast before small berries form. Plant it where you want quick structure, vibrant colour, and low-maintenance impact – perfect along driveways, boundaries, or as a bold feature in mixed plantings.

Perfect for creating colorful, wildlife-friendly gardens. Learn how to attract butterflies to your garden with flowering plants like Duranta, or discover how to create a bird garden that supports local wildlife with berry-producing plants.

Highly recommended for its prolific growth, the Salt Bush lends itself beautifully to marvelous formal applications, including crafting shaped balls and clipped hedges.

When planting, choose a well-drained soil location with full to partial sun exposure for optimal results. The fantastic silvery-grey foliage of the Salt Bush not only adds to its own allure, but also showcases the colors of the plants planted around it, creating a visually stunning landscape.

Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow (Brunfelsia) is a popular decorative plant grown for its abundance of tri-color, fragrant flowers in spring. The purple flowers soften to a lavender colour and finally fade to white.

Why You'll Love It:
• Abundance of tri-color, fragrant flowers in spring
• Purple flowers soften to lavender and finally fade to white
• Fantastic when planted with azaleas & camellias
• Also flowers in autumn for extended blooming
• Perfect for containers and garden beds
• Evergreen foliage provides year-round structure
• Excellent for creating focal points on patios
• Thrives in sun to semi-shade positions

Planting & Care:
Plant in well-draining soil in sun to semi-shade positions. Water regularly during establishment, then reduce as plant becomes more drought-tolerant. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and encourage new growth.

Leylandii is a fast-growing evergreen conifer with densely packed foliage that creates excellent privacy screens, windbreaks, and formal hedges in Western Cape gardens. This versatile conifer is often used as Christmas trees and can be clipped into formal topiary shapes or left natural for informal screening. The dense, feathery foliage provides year-round structure and excellent noise reduction, making it perfect for urban gardens and boundary plantings. Plant 1m apart for hedging purposes or 2-3m apart for windbreak plantings. Feed annually in spring with a balanced tree fertilizer and enrich soil with quality compost for optimal growth. Apply pine mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. This fast-growing conifer thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for creating instant privacy and structure in new gardens. Discover how to create privacy with plants using fast-growing evergreen screens like Leyland Cypress.

The Honey-Bell Bush is a beautiful, fast-growing indigenous shrub with slender, loosely spreading branches that produces masses of tubular flowers. Available in two stunning color forms: vibrant blue flowers that attract butterflies and bees, and pure white blooms for a more subtle garden display. Both varieties flower profusely mainly in spring and continue sporadically through the year. Feed with a balanced indigenous plant fertilizer in early spring to encourage vigorous growth and abundant flowering. This versatile, waterwise shrub benefits from regular pruning to maintain bushy growth and can be used for informal hedging, screening, or as an attractive feature in patio containers.

 This evergreen shrub resembles rosemary but lacks its fragrance and culinary value. It excels in coastal gardens, withstanding salt spray admirably. It thrives in sandy, well-drained soil and becomes relatively drought-tolerant once established, requiring less water than other plants. Additionally, it responds well to pruning, allowing you to shape it into beautifully pruned balls, hedges, or lollipop standards. During spring and summer, it adorns itself with dainty white or blue flowers.

Buxus ‘Faulkner’ is a compact, slow-growing evergreen shrub, widely used in landscaping and formal garden design. Known for forming exceptionally dense hedges, it’s often chosen for maze gardens, borders, and low structural plantings.

With its rich green foliage, tidy growth habit, and excellent tolerance for shaping, it’s ideal for Cape Town gardens where structure, elegance, and low maintenance are key. 

• Forms one of the densest hedges you can grow
  
• Tolerates heat and light drought better than many box varieties
• Best in well-drained, slightly acidic soil
• Prune regularly for shape and compact growth
• Excellent in pots, borders, paths, or parterres

Although it grows on the slower side, the reward is a long-lived, highly sculptable hedge that adds structure and polish to any space.

The Brush Cherry Standard (Syzygium Paniculatum) is expertly trained as an elegant single-trunk tree with a perfectly shaped crown, creating a sophisticated 'lollipop' topiary that serves as a stunning focal point in formal gardens and landscapes. This standard form features a clean, straight trunk topped with a dense, rounded canopy that can be maintained through regular pruning to achieve the desired size and shape. The glossy green foliage emerges in attractive reddish hues before maturing, providing year-round visual interest and architectural structure. Feed with a balanced tree fertilizer in spring and autumn to maintain vigorous crown development and healthy trunk growth. Perfect for container growing on patios, formal garden entrances, or as specimen trees in landscape designs where a refined, architectural presence is desired. The standard form's elevated canopy allows for underplanting and creates elegant vertical interest without overwhelming smaller garden spaces.

Laurustinus Lucidum,also known as 'Wild Laurel', is widely considered to be a 'Golden oldie'. This versatile plant remains popular for its ability to be a perfect specimen for use in small gardens, in pots and even on balconies. In late winter flattish heads of pink flower buds appear, opening into tiny white flowers. Clusters of small metallic-blue berries mature in autumn. 'Wild Laurel' is a  popular evergreen choice for hedging and also often grown as a compact standard tree. 

The Ficus Microcarpa 'Nitida' Standard is renowned for its exceptionally dense, small-leafed foliage that creates the perfect 'lollipop' topiary form. This variety is specifically prized for its compact leaf structure and vigorous branching habit, making it ideal for precise topiary work and formal garden designs. Trim new growth every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring-summer) to maintain its characteristic dense, compact crown. Use sharp, clean secateurs and cut just above leaf nodes for optimal results. Feed with a balanced fertilizer monthly during growing season to encourage dense foliage development. The 'Nitida' variety's naturally tight growth pattern and small leaves make it particularly suitable for detailed topiary shapes, formal hedging, or as an elegant standard specimen in containers where its refined appearance can be fully appreciated.

The Ficus Microcarpa 'Millenium' Standard is celebrated for its robust growth and larger leaf structure, making it an excellent choice for creating impressive statement pieces in gardens and landscapes. This hardy variety features broader foliage and a more open branching pattern compared to other Ficus cultivars, giving it a distinctive architectural presence. Perfect for training into elegant 'lollipop' standards or allowing to develop into substantial shade trees, the 'Millenium' variety adapts beautifully to various garden styles from contemporary to traditional. Feed with a balanced fertilizer every 6-8 weeks during growing season to support its vigorous growth habit. Its naturally strong framework and resilient nature make it particularly suitable for larger garden spaces, screening applications, or as a dramatic focal point where its impressive scale can be fully appreciated. Prune lightly to maintain desired shape and encourage dense branching.

A tough, evergreen shrub that flowers when most gardens are quiet. Viburnum tinus carries clusters of white blooms through late winter into spring, followed by metallic-blue berries that attract birds. It’s wind-tolerant, reliable, and ideal for hedging or informal screening. Equally at home in large pots or containers, it provides year-round greenery and seasonal flowers for patios and courtyards. A versatile shrub and one of the best cool-season performers for Western Cape gardens.

The Gold Leyland Cypress is a  beautiful, pyramid-shaped conifer and a smaller variant of the popular Leyland cypress.

Evergreen, with striking yellow-green foliage, it is excellent for screening and hedges.The Gold Leyland Cypress is hardy,relatively fast-growing and perfect for a sunny spot in your garden. 

Excellent plant for topiaries, hedging and screening. Lush and fast growing with dark pink to red berries which will attract birds to the garden.

Juniperus Chinensis is a versatile, hardy evergreen conifer that forms a compact, upright shrub perfect for creating structure in your garden. With its dense, scale-like foliage in attractive blue-green tones, this reliable conifer works beautifully as a screening plant, windbreak, or specimen shrub in formal garden layouts. Feed with a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring to promote healthy growth and maintain its dense foliage. This low-maintenance conifer is drought-tolerant once established and thrives in full sun with well-draining soil, making it an excellent choice for water-wise gardens and coastal areas where wind resistance is important.

Platycladus Orientalis 'Aurea Nana Compacta' is a slow-growing, evergreen conifer with dense, golden-yellow foliage that adds vibrant year-round color to gardens and landscapes. This compact, rounded shrub maintains its beautiful golden hues throughout all seasons, making it ideal for small gardens, mixed borders, or container displays where consistent color impact is desired. Thriving in full sun to partial shade, this low-maintenance conifer adapts well to various soil conditions and requires minimal care once established. Plant 80cm-1m apart when using in borders or hedging applications, allowing adequate space for its naturally rounded growth habit. Feed annually in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer to maintain vibrant golden foliage color and encourage healthy, dense growth throughout the growing season.

The Star Jasmine Standard is a beautifully trained evergreen climber shaped into an elegant 'lollipop' form, renowned for its intoxicating fragrance that fills the garden during spring and summer blooming periods. This versatile standard produces masses of starry white flowers against glossy, dark green foliage, creating a stunning focal point for formal gardens, courtyards, or large containers. Feed monthly during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer to encourage prolific flowering and maintain healthy foliage. Plant in full sun to semi-shade with well-draining soil enriched with compost, and water regularly to keep soil consistently moist. Perfect for creating height and structure in smaller spaces, entrances, or patios where its heavenly scent can be fully appreciated by visitors and family alike.

This 'best-seller' shrub is your answer when you need a tall growing screen, hedge or topiary and you need it quickly. A fast-growing, hardy,  evergreen shrub with fragrant funnel-shaped white flowers. 

The Honey-Bell Standard is a beautifully trained indigenous shrub shaped into an elegant 'lollipop' form, featuring slender, loosely spreading branches that produce masses of tubular flowers. Available in two stunning color varieties: vibrant blue flowers that attract butterflies and bees, and pure white blooms for a more subtle, sophisticated display. Both varieties flower profusely mainly in spring and continue sporadically throughout the year, creating long-lasting garden interest. Feed with a balanced indigenous plant fertilizer in early spring to encourage vigorous growth and abundant flowering. This versatile, waterwise standard benefits from regular light pruning to maintain its neat shape and can be used as striking focal points in formal gardens, courtyards, or large containers where its compact form and beautiful flowers can be fully appreciated.

The Gardenia Jasminoides Standard is a stunning evergreen shrub trained as an elegant 'lollipop' standard, featuring glossy dark green leaves and intensely fragrant, pure white blooms. With an exceptionally long flowering season from spring through autumn, this compact beauty creates a sophisticated focal point in any garden or large container. Feed monthly during the growing season with an acid-loving plant fertilizer to maintain healthy foliage and encourage abundant flowering. Plant in semi-shade with well-draining, slightly acidic soil enriched with compost, and water regularly to keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Perfect for formal gardens, courtyards, or as striking container specimens on patios where their intoxicating fragrance can be fully appreciated.

A fast growing and decorative evergreen tree with a lovely bushy habit.  Hawaii has large variegated leaves in dark green to grey-green and white. Ideal for pots when kept trimmed.  A lovely addition to create height and structure in the garden.  Prune to shape.

Juniperus chinensis 'Torulosa Variegata' features the same twisting, irregular branching pattern as Torulosa but with golden-yellow or creamy-white variegation on its green foliage, making it an ornamental, eye-catching conifer. This variety is drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and thrives in full sun, making it an excellent choice for landscapes, hedging, or specimen planting.

Australian Brush-Cherry (Syzygium Paniculatum) is the ultimate evergreen hedging plant, specifically grown as a multi-stemmed shrub for creating dense, formal hedges and privacy screens.

Why You'll Love It:
• Fast-growing hedge specialist for boundary plantings
• Excellent for windbreaks and screening applications
• Naturally bushy growth habit shapes into neat, uniform hedges
• Glossy green foliage responds exceptionally well to regular trimming
• Develops into thick, impenetrable barriers perfect for security and privacy
• Shallow root system ideal for narrow planting strips
• Adaptable nature perfect for limited spaces
• Effective screening between buildings and along property boundaries

Planting & Care:
Feed with a balanced hedge fertilizer in spring and mid-summer to encourage dense branching and vigorous growth. Can be shaped into hedges of any desired height where space is limited but effective screening is essential.

Highly recommended as a fast growing hedge plant, this scrambling shrub is also often used as a framework plant in flower beds. Flowering peaks in autumn and spring. Expect a lively concert from honey bees and birds as they come to feast on the nectar. This fast growing, evergreen, wind resistant plant will tolerate long periods of drought once established.

 Eugenia Hedgemaker, also known as 'Australian Brush Cherry', is a fast-growing, dense, evergreen shrub ideal for hedging and topiary. Its vibrant green foliage responds beautifully to pruning, making it perfect for shaping into neat, formal hedges or natural privacy barriers. Low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established, this hardy plant thrives in full sun to partial shade. Whether used to define garden borders, reduce noise, or enhance curb appeal, Eugenia Hedgemaker is the ultimate choice for a lush, striking, year-round hedge.

A beautiful evergreen, variegated Trachelospermum, that features bright green, white and pink leaves. It produces fragrant, small white flowers from late spring to autumn. Ideal as a wonderful ground cover and admired for its interesting foliage. Although it is a slow growing plant it makes a statement in a garden

Star Jasmine is beloved for its intoxicating fragrance that transforms fences, arches, and pergolas into living features while creating stunning vertical displays in Western Cape gardens. This versatile evergreen climber provides year-round structure with its glossy foliage, while the profusion of starry white blooms in spring and summer fills the garden with heavenly scent. It can also be clipped into hedges or used as groundcover, making it one of the most adaptable climbers for entrances, patios, and pergolas. Plant 1.5-2m apart for screening or use as specimen plants against walls and structures. Feed annually in spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer and ensure well-drained soil enriched with compost for optimal growth. Learn more about successful coastal gardening with versatile climbers like Star Jasmine, or discover how to create privacy with plants for beautiful, fragrant screening solutions.

This hardy plant is an exceptional option to clip into a topiary. In 'wilder' garden settings it also works excellently as a screening hedge that can be tamed to any height desired. It can also grow into a dense shade tree. 

'Australian Coastal Rosemary' is an evergreen shrub that resembles Rosemary,but lacks its fragrance and culinary value. It excels in coastal gardens, withstanding salt spray admirably. It thrives in sandy, well-drained soil and becomes relatively drought-tolerant once established, requiring less water than other plants. Additionally, it responds well to pruning, allowing you to shape it into beautifully pruned balls, hedges, or lollipop standards. Australian coastal Rosemary adorns itself with dainty white or blue flowers during Spring and Summer.