Yesterday I was at Target and I saw these rosemary plants and I thought they would be perfect to make little topiaries. This is a project I have wanted to try for a long time.
I want the pots to get mossy which is not always easy when you live in a dry climate. I've heard if you brush plain yogurt or buttermilk on the pot and then rub moss on it that it will grow moss quicker. I'm not sure how great the moss will grow since the rosemary needs full sun! I didn't think that part through until after I did it.
I removed all the stems except the strongest center stem and then removed all the leaves except for the very top. I pinched off a little on the top which will make the plant send off two new branches and you just keep pinching as they grow until you get a little ball shape at the top. Here is a photo I found of what they should look like....although it may take a year or so to get there. I'll keep you updated on it's progress.
Click here to find directions for starting them from just a clipping of rosemary.
Good luck with those! I love rosemary, it smells great and I love it for cooking with. My Target stopped carrying live plants about a year ago. Neat project - keep us posted on their progress!
ReplyDeleteManuela
Oh please keep us posted with pictures of how they look as they progress, I'm not brave enough to strip all the lovely rosemary leaves off mine, and want to see how it comes along! Maybe if I see how long it takes, I might get brave enough? I might just have to go buy a new one, just for this purpose! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a super project! Yes, please keep us posted to your progress. Would it help at all if you sit the planter in something containing water, keeping it moist? I don't have a clue myself, just guessing. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI've done this before & they were pretty...it was a successful project, but I couldn't keep them alive inside over winter......:(
ReplyDeletePlease post pics when so we can see the progress.
Oh I love topiaries! I cant wait to see them progress :) Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Amy
Hi Cindy,
ReplyDeleteLet me know how that works. I have always heard you could do that with yogurt. I love Rosemary, well you know why.
Rosemary
This is a great project. I also love rosemary. I have a good size bush outside. I think I will go take some clippings and give it a try.
ReplyDeleteCindy,
ReplyDeleteOne of the best things about California is the way you can grow rosemary and lavender into hedges ( and topiaries). And you can pick eucalyptus from trees...cool! Just blows the mind of a New England girl.
Janet
I hope it works for you. I love that whole mossy look on pots.
ReplyDeleteYou can do it...looks like they will be just what you want them to be.
ReplyDeleteMissn ya
Aw...I love rosemary. Keep us posted on the "moss". I'm gonna have to try this...
ReplyDeleteCindy,
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see if your moss grows. I've heard that it works.
~elaine~
Looks like a fun project, may have to try one sometime. My classroom has the perfect windows. Good Luck.
ReplyDeleteI've often tried the yoghurt coating trick, didn't work for me even in the shade, I ended up distressing the pot as I would with a piece of furniture, you know a little bit of heritage green spray paint with a little white or cream spray paint then sort of rub it on with a grubby cloth, you're so clever Cindy I bet you could do it extra well, Good Luck, will watch out for the finished product
ReplyDeleteGail
I mixed the yogurt with some potting soil and painted in on. It took several weeks but it worked. I even painted some on a few of my garden statues to age them. I live in a very humid climate so I'm sure that helped the moss to grow too. Isn't it funny how just the smell of rosemary lifts your spirits?
ReplyDeleteKathy
Hi Cindy,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a great project, especially as you can probably keep it outside year round in CA. If you can't grow moss on the pot itself, at least you can buy some at Michael's and cover the potting soil. Good luck!
Mary
mrcarroll@optonline.net
I love Rosemary too! A few years ago I went to a small German town called Fredericksburg over Easter and the main street which was lined with small quaint specialty stores was also lined with huge Rosemary bushes. They were so beautiful and so fragrant!
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy, I've wondered how to do this. Looks like you're off to a great start!
ReplyDeleteI also want to tell you how beautiful your Noritake is! What a great find!
Pat
Thank you SO much for showing a tutorial on those topiaries.....say that 5 times.
ReplyDeleteI always wondered how they did that. I may have to try that now.
Fabulous, as always. I have got to try the yogurt thing!!!!
ReplyDeleteTracey
oh, that is a neat project. I've always loved those rosemary topiaries. You'll have to keep us posted on its progress.
ReplyDeleteRHoda
I'm cooking with rosemary tonight!
For some time now I have wanted to try the buttermilk/yogurt project on a few of my pots. You have now inspired me to get busy!
ReplyDeleteI love the topiaries - good luck with them! I am sure they will be as lovely as the one in the photo.
ReplyDeleteHeather
Cindy,
ReplyDeleteGread project and very inspiring. I have been looking at faux rosemary topiaries at Marshall's but they were over $25 each and I would like 2 on either side of my kitchen window so I haven't gotten them. Next week I will check our Target to see if they have the plants there.
Thanks for sharing.
Sue
I love topiaries too and rosemary! I had some in my kitchen years ago but they didn't make it. I would love to try them again! Good luck with yours!
ReplyDeleteI love this project... I am gonna give it a try! Also you can faux paint your moss on your pot too and if you layer the paint it looks very real... I live in Arizona and this is what I have to do to get moss pots;
ReplyDeletehttp://www.weekendgardener.net/container-gardening/antique-claypots-110711.htm
~Rainey~