Topiary is the art of trimming shrubs or trees into ornamental shapes. I have snapped some photos of some topiary in the Northern Suburbs of Sydney, close to the Harbour. The first two photos show a garden featuring Buxus microphylla ( Japanese Box ) shaped into globe shapes around a terracotta pot fountain. The third photo shows a residence with Topiary "lollipop trees" . These are a variety of Ficus Tree ( Ficus microcarpa var. "Hillii" - Hills Fig ) with a long stalk or trunk, and a ball-shaped bunch of foliage on the top. Below, clinging to the concrete fence is creeping ficus ( Ficus pumila ). On the lower level, a hedge of Murraya paniculata ( Orange Jessamine ) , and to the right, a Cypress hedge. All of these hedges and topiary are high maintainence and require lots of work to keep them looking good. That's OK if you like to impress neighbours and visitors and the "upper class" , but not for me !
