Topiary Trees

4 min read

618 words

When it comes to decorating a home, we often focus on the big-ticket items: the sofa, the rug, the paint color. We meticulously select art and throw pillows, searching for that perfect combination to complete the look. But what if one of the most effective tools for adding style, structure, and color is something often relegated to the garden? It’s time to bring it indoors. When it comes to home decorating, one of the hardest working and overlooked elements you can add for style and color is the humble topiary tree. More than just a plant, a topiary is a piece of living (or faux) sculpture. Its manicured shape provides an architectural element that few other decor pieces can offer. Where a standard houseplant adds a touch of wild, organic beauty, a topiary introduces intentionality and elegance. It brings the freshness of greenery while maintaining a clean, sophisticated silhouette. This unique combination of nature and design makes it a versatile powerhouse for any interior style, from classic traditional to stark modernism.

Styling with Structure: Where to Place Your Topiary

Topiary Trees

The beauty of the topiary lies in its versatility. Its defined shape allows it to work in spaces where a sprawling plant might feel cluttered. By understanding how to place them, you can dramatically enhance the look and feel of a room.

  • Create Symmetrical Balance: This is the most classic application. Placing two identical topiaries on either side of a doorway, fireplace mantel, or console table creates an immediate sense of order, elegance, and grandeur. This simple act of framing a feature draws the eye and makes the space feel more deliberate and polished.
  • Anchor an Empty Corner: Have a corner that feels awkward and bare? A single, tall, and slender topiary can fill that vertical space without demanding a large footprint. It draws the eye upward, making the ceiling feel higher while adding a much-needed pop of life and color.
  • Add Depth to Surfaces: Topiaries aren’t just for the floor. Smaller versions are perfect for adding layered height to bookshelves, side tables, or even kitchen counters. A small, preserved boxwood ball or a miniature myrtle topiary can break up a flat surface and introduce a touch of sophisticated charm among books and other objects.

Choosing Your Champion: Real vs. High-Quality Faux

Once you’ve decided to incorporate a topiary, the next question is whether to choose a living plant or a high-quality artificial one. Both have distinct advantages, and the right choice depends entirely on your lifestyle and the location you have in mind.

Living Topiaries: For the green-thumbed decorator, a real topiary offers an unparalleled sense of authenticity. Plants like boxwood, myrtle, or even rosemary can be sculpted and cared for, providing a rewarding connection to nature. They purify the air and bring a genuine vitality to a room. However, they require proper sunlight, consistent watering, and periodic trimming to maintain their shape, making them unsuitable for dark hallways or low-light rooms.

High-Quality Faux Topiaries: Don’t discount the artificial option. Today’s faux botanicals are remarkably realistic, crafted with true-to-life textures and subtle color variations. A high-quality faux topiary offers the perfect shape and color year-round with zero maintenance aside from an occasional dusting. This makes them the ideal solution for busy households, vacation homes, or those tricky, light-deprived spots that are begging for a touch of green.

So, the next time you’re assessing a room and feel it’s missing that certain something, look past the usual decor suspects. Consider the understated power of the topiary. Whether real or faux, large or small, it’s a simple addition that delivers an outsized impact, offering structure, color, and a touch of timeless elegance to any space.

By Gracie Davis

When she isn’t writing for Today's Woman, you’ll find Gracie behind the lens, capturing moments through her camera. Her photography work ranges from vibrant family portraits to candid street scenes, always with an eye for color, emotion, and storytelling.

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