Have you EVER SEEN a HUGE moss topiary in someone's yard??
Question:Does anyone out there have experience in this garden craft?
I really admire them and dream of making a medium size one [dolphin] ~to 'spring out' from a narrow pole, when my garden is in full bloom at the end of the summer/if u've exp. n this craft about how long does it take to stuff all the moss in it [let's say around a 10"X24"]??
thank u!
Answers:
First you need a dolphin form-Can you make one out of chicken wire? I would then stuff the inside with inexpensive floral moss or spanish moss, just to fill the interior. On the outside of the from you can attach sheet moss by inserting in the wire, maybe with some hot glue or if you are industrious, a long needle and clear thread. This moss should be misted to keep it green or you can cheat by spraying with Master Craft floral spray a green color.
Pruning a shrub to a dolphin form takes a long time. But, depending on your climate(no hard freezes) I have seen the forms covered with a creeping ivy ficus, or plain ivy.
If all else fails, you might check some large garden centers for a ready=made form. I have seen ducks and swans, but for a dolphin you may need to check a more coastal store.
Good luck
There's one on south 56th street in Tacoma Washington that is like a giant chinese dragon, it's really cool. it's been there for years, there's some info on this site:
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/topiary...
What I would suggest is growing a shrub that is normally used for topiaries and getting a "form" made for the shape you want, in this case, a dolphin. You can go to any nursery and ask for the type shrub that will grow on these topiary frames and they can also tell you how to do it. There are also websites online that you can visit that will give you detailed instructions on how to do it etc. I have found that if you want the best instructions, be sure you buy the materials needed and then ask someone who has actually done this type of topiary work. It can either be an email to someone but would be best if you could have personal "one on one" with someone so you can ask questions in person. Anyway, the moss thing can also be done but I would suspect that it would take much longer plus moss doesn't usually grow in the sun so maybe what you've seen isn't really moss but a type of shrubbery.
There are wire forms to start. You must buy a fast growing vine such as ivy and plant it now. It needs time to spread over the whole form.
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