From basic element to absolute eye-catcher

Laurel lends itself well to topiary pruning

That laurel in particular allows itself to be shaped willingly in that respect is shown by the range of Laurica-plants. The specialist from Jabbeke stands out with a great diversity of shapes and sizes, and does not shy away from the occasional experiment.

Text Elise Noyez    |    Image Laurica plants

Knowledge and patience. That is the basis on which Laurica-plants' wide and qualitative assortment of topiary laurels is built. After all, all plants are deliberately grown from cuttings. A method that leads to slower growth, but also greater uniformity and a more compact root system, making them perfect for topiary and life in a pot or tub. For a minimum of seven years, the plants are grown this way in Jabbeke, with a topiary pruning in winter and an additional cutting in summer to ensure uniformity. That in dozens of shapes and sizes.

At the 2016 Floralies, Laurica-plants collaborated with Daniel Ost on an exceptional creation.

Sphere on stem

One of the most popular forms is the bulb on stem. A simple and elegant plant that looks great in pots. A few specimens are enough to accentuate a passage, garden or front door, or you place them between classic hedges to create height and dynamism.

The most important considerations when purchasing this topiary are stem height, bulb diameter and pot size. For these, Laurica offers numerous options. In any case, keep in mind that the plant will only grow in diameter, so the stem height will not change. Choosing the right height right away is the offershelf.

At London's Victoria & Albert Museum, pyramid-shaped laurel plants highlight the stately architecture.

Pyramid

Also fixed in the Laurica plant range is the pyramid. Put different sizes of this conical plant together in a corner for an intimate, yet playful spot, or use them - like the Victoria & Albert Museum in London - to emphasize the stately architecture of the surrounding buildings. For those who prefer a softer character, Laurica plants also have columnar forms or pyramids with rounded tips.

Special shapes

A beautiful form-trimmed tree can of course also be placed in the garden as an eye-catcher, especially if you choose a single specimen with a slightly more unique look. For example, a sphere on twisted or braided trunk is stylish, slender and stately, a column trunk-sphere a bit more solid and robust.

Moreover, because tastes and styles evolve, from time to time Laurica-plants engages in experimentation. This already led in the past to the development of the imperial crown, a stemmed cone that has since joined the laurel specialist's assortment.

More than a thousand bulbs on trunks were assembled into a giant sculptural sphere.

Room for creativity

The fact that Laurica-plants' topiary laurels thrive in pots and tubs has its advantages for a creative garden concept. Not only does the right pot complete the picture, but choosing topiary laurels also offers room for change and dynamism. In other words, creativity does not end with the many form and pruning possibilities of the plant itself. Just look at the creation of Laurica-plants and Daniel Ost at the 2016 Floralies. There, more than a thousand bulbs on stems were assembled into a gigantic sculptural sphere. A true showpiece.