Amazing topiary artwork taught and displayed in Islamabad

Islamabad-An interesting workshop, highlighting various types of topiary – the art of creating sculptures in the medium of clipped trees, shrubs and sub-shrubs – and different techniques for its making, was held here Monday by the Floral Art Society of Pakistan (FASP).

FASP is affiliated with the National Association of Flower Arranger Society (NAFAS) UK and World Association of Flower Arrangers (WAFA). It is a non-profit organisation, set up with a view to promote international goodwill and understanding through the promotion of floral art, with exchange programmes designed to develop better social and cultural relations amongst the people of different regions.

The Society hosts monthly meetings where workshops, demonstrations, competitions and lectures are given on various styles of flower arrangements, which, as usual, keep on changing in style and concept.

Mondays teaching workshop on topiary proved to be a source of immense pleasure and appreciation for all, as the shrub artwork was arranged in unique shapes, making for a display of creativity and artistic flair, inspirational in their originality. These stunning pieces of art depicted the genius of their designers.

The lecture was delivered by President FASP Farhana Azeem in which she imparted useful information regarding topiary to the audience. During the lecture, it was told to the club members that the shrubs and sub-shrubs used in topiary are evergreen, have small leaves or needles, produce dense foliage, and have compact or columnar growth habits. She said the common plants used in topiary include cultivars of box (Buxus Sempervirens), arborvitae (Thuja spp), Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis), holly (llex spp), myrtle (Eugenia or Myrtus species), yew (Taxus species) and privet (Ligustrum species).

Shaped wire cages are sometimes employed in modern topiary to guide untutored shears, but traditional topiary depends on patience and a steady hand – small leaved ivy can be used to cover a cage and give the look of topiary in a few months, Farhana said.

Members were given different materials with which they made their own designs with the guidance of the president and later on, put their works on display.

Besides topiary, the process of conditioning plant material was also discussed where Farhana said that the conditioning of flowers and leaves makes a difference of literally adding more days and life to cut plant material. Some varieties of flowers stand up better than others. Experience quickly teaches you which these are, but all other varieties will respond with a fresh crisp appearance and longer life to correct conditioning, she said and described the procedure of conditioning in detail which included boiling, singeing, water filling, foliage conditioning, stems, cleanliness and cutting.

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