2003 | Volume 29 - American Ivy Society

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there is a long list of other plants that work.
The significant aspect of this style is that no
pot is required and the forms are portable.
It is also the quickest way to design and
develop topiary.
GARDENShAPES TM Living Topiary:
Recently, Smithers Oasis ® has develop a
new revolutionary style of topiary called
GARDENSHAPES TM . For years this Ohio
based company has been making products
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Moss Filled Topiary
to enhance the horticultural industry. The
most well known product is Oasis ® or the
green floral foam used by every floral designer worldwide. For many
years they have also been developing and making other foam products used
by the floral and greenhouse industry. Many plant propagators use one of
Smithers Oasis ® foam products for rooting plants. The unrooted cuttings
are stuck directly into the a preformed foam plug, allowed to root under
mist, and when ready, the plant foam plug and all are planted directly into
the potting media and grown on.
The Smithers Oasis ® research department has developed a foam formula
specifically for the topiary world and shaped it into whimsical animal shapes.
The forms are covered with moss and attractive even if they are not
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planted. The foam is developed to have the maximum water holding
capacity without keeping the roots too wet. Any excess water drains
away. The form (rabbit, turtle, frog or snail) is formed with an opening
centrally located to hold the plant.
There are several advantages to this new product.
The first and most important advantage is that they are very easy to make
even if you are a first time gardener. Each form comes with instructions
on how to make it and how to take care for it. The GARDENSHAPESTM are available planted or “do-it-yourself.”
GARDENSHAPESTM GARDENSHAPES
Frog
TM
Rabbit
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