Best Topiary Plants, Trees, and Shrubs to Grow in the Garden

Topiary gardening is a timeless art form that brings structure, elegance, and a touch of whimsy to the landscape. Often used for decorative accents, privacy screens, or natural landmarks, topiary adds both beauty and function to garden spaces.

As with any art, achieving the best results in topiary requires the right tools, starting with the right plant material. Selecting the best topiary plants, trees, and shrubs is essential not only for achieving the desired shape but also for ensuring the plants thrive year-round.

This blog highlights some of the best plants for topiary, grouped into three categories: shrubs, trees, and other plants (including climbers). Each section includes key facts to help determine if a particular plant is the right fit, such as its growing habits, hardiness zones, maintenance requirements, and any special care considerations. Rather than covering everything in depth, this guide focuses on the most important details to help narrow the search for the ideal topiary specimens for any garden.

1.Shrubs

Buxus Sempervirens (Common Boxwood)

A classic topiary plant with naturally compact growth and tiny evergreen leaves that clip cleanly into box balls, low hedges, or even spiral shapes. Grows slowly, which means less maintenance but also more patience, especially in the first year. Shows flushes of new growth in early spring and again in early summer. Best used in knot gardens or parterre gardens where structure and formal shapes are key.

Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata)

This one is often confused with boxwood, but it handles humidity and poor soil better and grows a bit more vigorously. The small leaves and dense branching make it ideal for low hedges, spheres, or small cones. Works well in full sun or full shade, which makes it reliable for spots where boxwood might struggle and holds shapes nicely after a trim, keeping that clean, tidy look in all seasons.

Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Not the most delicate shrub, but it makes up for that with speed and bulk. Big, glossy leaves reflect light and look great in loose cones, simple domes, or tall screens, especially along fences or shaded corners. It grows fast, takes well to heavy pruning, and recovers quickly, though it’s better to avoid late summer cuts so new growth can harden off before frost. Tolerates pollution and tough soils, but it can spread aggressively if left unchecked in milder climates.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

A woody, evergreen shrub with needle-thin leaves and an iconic fragrance, rosemary has the perfect structure for small topiary shapes, cones, spirals, or low mounds, especially when grown in well-drained soil and full sun. It’s slow growing, but that just means less constant pruning, and it holds its shape well. New growth comes in during the summer months, and once established, it’s impressively drought tolerant, ideal for dry gardens or Mediterranean-style designs.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Not a traditional topiary plant, but a great choice for anyone leaning into a more relaxed topiary garden with texture and fragrance in mind. Lavender holds its shape decently when clipped into loose mounds or low borders, and its silvery leaves contrast beautifully with dark evergreen foliage. It demands full sun, good drainage, and a lighter hand with trimming, too much, too often, and it won’t bounce back easily. Works well in areas where formal and informal elements blend, or where scent matters just as much as shape.

2. Trees

Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’)

This slow-growing evergreen spruce is commonly used for topiary cones, spirals, and spheres. It has blue-green foliage and a tidy growth habit, with dense, fine needles that form compact shapes holding well through most months. It’s relatively easy to maintain as long as it receives full sun and is planted in well-drained soil to prevent root rot during the growing season. Growing it in individual planters allows it to be moved around to catch the sun or be sheltered during cold snaps. But don't fret, when planted directly in the ground, it thrives as long as it has year-round sunshine.

Taxus baccata (English Yew)

A classic topiary with dense, dark green evergreen leaves and bright red berries that appear from late summer through autumn, often persisting into winter. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and, although slow-growing, is easier to maintain when shaping precise, sharp topiary forms over many years. Its remarkable ability to produce new growth from old wood makes it ideal for training on wire frames to create complex shapes.

Thuja occidentalis (Arborvitae)

Known for its blue-green, dense foliage, Thuja occidentalis is a favorite for large topiary specimens and screening hedges. It shapes well into cones, spirals, and even walls thanks to its flexible branches. Growing faster than boxwood, it demands regular pruning during the growing season to maintain clean, sharp lines. It’s hardy in many climates and tolerates urban pollution which is why it's often used in public garden landscapes. 

Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis)

Bay Laurel grows well as both a shrub and small tree, with shiny, aromatic leaves that are great for cooking. It shapes nicely into cones and spirals and prefers full sun to develop dense growth. New shoots come steadily in early spring, making that the best time to prune and keep it tight. It’s commonly planted as a privacy hedge or around patios, especially in Mediterranean-style gardens where it handles heat and dryness well.

3. Plants (Climbers and Others)

Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)

Star jasmine’s glossy evergreen leaves and fragrant white flowers bring both texture and scent to the garden. It’s flexible enough to train on wire frames for spirals, cones, or more intricate shapes, but it’s also great for creating shade and privacy hedges. Like most topiary plants, it responds well to regular pruning during the growing season. The dense foliage stays lush, while summer blooms add a nice seasonal pop. It’s a strong pollinator and is often used to cover large areas like walls and brick fences.

Ligustrum Delavayanum (Privet)

Privet is a reliable workhorse for topiary with small, shiny leaves and dense growth—perfect for box balls and formal hedges. Growing at a moderate pace, it delivers quicker results in the first year, making shaping easier. Its foliage holds clean lines well, so it’s no surprise that privet is popular for everything from simple geometric shapes to tight spheres.

Brush Cherry (Syzygium australe)

Brush cherry stands out with its small, glossy leaves and dense growth habit. It’s popular for shaping into all kinds of forms, whether in planters or the garden. It thrives in full sun and responds well to pruning throughout the growing season, making it great for everything from simple lollipop shapes to more complex topiary designs. Its dense foliage keeps a neat, polished look, and in late summer, it puts on a show with clusters of white flowers.

Final Thoughts

Topiary is all about showcasing your personality in the garden. You can go for straight lines and precise structure, or embrace controlled chaos and playful shapes, it’s whatever fits your style and goals. By choosing plants that suit your climate, garden style, and maintenance preferences, you set yourself up for success in creating living art that lasts for years.