noun
topiary
TOH-pee-air-ee/ˈtəʊpieri/
The shaping of woody plants by decorative clipping.
The gardener practices topiary by trimming a shrub into a spiral.
Etymology
Latin topiarius referred broadly to ornamental gardening. English uses this gardening term specifically for training and clipping trees and shrubs into decorative shapes, turning a description of garden work into the art's name.
In context
topiary can make a huge impact on any garden
More examples
- Boxwood's dense growth makes it a popular choice for topiary.
- Topiary requires regular clipping to keep each shape well defined.
- Two cone-shaped topiaries stand beside the front door.
Forms
topiary · topiaries