Topiary fun

I am working on planting topiary forms for a garden club show that is scheduled for September. I have several forms including this swan, a large seal balancing a ball on its nose, a small bear, and 3 different sized  globes.  I plan to shape and train plants on the forms so they will be covered by the fall. The wire forms are covered in chicken wire and then stuffed with potting mixture and a combination of spaghnum and sheet moss. I insert rooted cuttings through the chicken wire directly into the moss where they will take hold and start to grow. The trick is to keep the form moist and well fertilized throughout the growing season. Nancy helped to plant this swan with some beautiful small leaf Elfin thyme. She also brought over some ivy that we will start on the seal. Keep your eyes open for small leaf, fast growing, or vining plants that might do well growing on a form. Herbs, succelents, and ivys all do well. It will be fun to watch my topiary animals come to life this summer!