Question 1

How often do I need to water my topiary?

Accepted Answer

That depends on several factors.
Relative humidity. If the relative humidity is low, then you need to water more often.
Air movement. If your topiary is placed where it is subjected to moving air, etc. under a fan, air conditioner vent, open window, or outside, then it will need more frequent watering.
Weight and color of topiary. When topiary becomes lighter in weight and lighter in color, it needs watering. 
If going away on vacation, we recommend a good soaking of the topiary by submerging the topiary in a bucket of water. This will allow the topiary to soak up a good amount of water. 
Store the topiary in an area with low light a patio is a good location. We have gone this route and have managed to keep our topiaries alive for two weeks. Same process can happen if normal watering too.

Question 2

How do I water my topiary?

Accepted Answer

To water your topiary, simply pour water over it slowly so it can soak in. You can focus the water in the area where the plant is growing rather than the entire topiary. 
If you notice you need to water more frequently chances are the topiary will need to be dunked in a bucket of water or allowed to sit in water to get it fully rehydrated. This will make future waterings easier until it needs to be rehydrated again.

Question 3

How do I fertilize my topiary?

Accepted Answer

It is not completely necessary only unless the vine appears in need of a boost. We recommend one quarter strength of fertilizer solution to the water or a very small amount at best.

Question 4

Topiary Care Options

Accepted Answer

Check out our Blog post, Topiary Care Options. Learn about tips for easier care for your topiary.

Question 5

Where can I place my topiary?

Accepted Answer

It is best to put them where they will get indirect sun.  
They are not recommended for full sun mainly because they will dry out quickly.  
A patio, front porch or indoors near a window works well.

Question 6

How long does it take my topiary to cover with ivy?

Accepted Answer

Given optimum growing conditions, keep moist at all times, sufficient light,
fertilizing, high humidity, and warm growing conditions, 75F+, it should take two to three months to be well covered.

Question 7

How tall will my topiary grow?

Accepted Answer

All of our Topiaries are made from sturdy welded steel wire, so they won't get any  bigger than the size of the frame. The creeping vine adds about an inch as it covers the topiary.

Question 8

What is the plant profile for the vine?

Accepted Answer

Our topiaries are planted with Ficus Pumila or also known as Creeping Fig vine.
The plants profile is:
Growth Habit: Trailing Climber
Hardiness: 10 degrees fahrenheit
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Water Needs: Moderate

Question 9

Can I bring the topiary on an airplane?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  You are permitted to bring live plants on airplanes as either a carry on or checked luggage. For topiaries, it would be best to carry them on rather than in checked luggage. 
 
Official TSA site:
https://search.usa.gov/search?query=live+plants&submit.x=0&submit.y=0&affiliate=tsa.gov
 
A USA Today story:
http://traveltips.usatoday.com/can-plants-airplane-59974.html

Question 10

How To instructions for DIY stuffing your topiary.

Accepted Answer

Materials needed:
Sphagnum Moss 
Fishing Line
Screwdriver or Dibble Tool
Creeping Fig Vine Plant
We offer these materials in our Supplies section of the site. 
 
Preparing the moss. 
The moss needs to be moist enough to be pliable to stuff into the main parts of the frame.  If you purchased a dry block of moss, you will need to add water and let it absorb (we usually allow a couple of hours).   The tricky part about stuffing is making sure you pack it and wrap it tight enough so that when it's time to plant, the inside environment is dense enough to allow root growth.  As you pack the frame, you'll start to wrap the exterior with the fishing line to both secure the moss inside as well as mold the shape.  Once you have stuffed and shaped, you can trim off any excess moss.  Do the stuffing outside, if possible, as it gets quite messy!
 
For planting, you'll want your topiary moist. Feel with your thumb to find any area where the wire frame is not located. Then use a Dibble tool or a Screwdriver to find a thick spot where you can make a hole to insert a plant. Make a large hole, then get your plug of creeping fig and gently roll the root mass between your thumb and fingers to remove most of the soil. Gently roll the root mass to look like the shape of a pencil and insert into the enlarged hole, being very careful not to break any of the stems. Follow up with some extra moss and you're done.  We secure the vine runners with floral pins.

Question 11

How do I re-plant my topiary, if it dies or add extra plugs to a living one?"

Accepted Answer

First, you need to soak your Topiary in a pot of water until it is moist or air bubbles stop; usually about a minute.  Next, if the topiary has dead runners on it, look for all of the topiary pins and pull them out, then pull off the dead vines, tracing the stems back to the root mass. Carefully remove the root mass, and then insert your thumb in the hole, using your thumb to enlarge it.  Now, get your plug of creeping fig and gently roll the root mass between your thumb and fingers to remove most of the soil. Gently roll the root mass into a ball and insert into the enlarged hole, being very careful not to break any of the stems. For planting extra creeping fig in a topiary that already has live plants on it, feel with your thumb or use a dibble or screwdriver to find a spot where you can make another hole to insert a plant. Use your dibble or screwdriver to make a large enough hole for the plant plug, and then continue with the above instructions to plant your vine.

Question 12

How To instructions for DIY planting a topiary from a stuffed only state or replanting.

Accepted Answer

For Stuffed only topiaries, you need to soak your topiary in a pot of water until it is moist or air bubbles stop; usually about a minute.
 
For planted topiaries adding extra plugs, the topiary should be well watered or moist.
Next, if the topiary has dead runners on it, look for all of the topiary pins and pull them out, then pull off the dead vines, tracing the stems back to the root mass. Carefully remove the root mass, and then insert your thumb in the hole, using your thumb to enlarge it or use a dibble tool to create the hole again.  Now, get your plug of creeping fig and gently roll the root mass between your thumb and fingers to remove most of the soil. You want the least amount of soil attached. Gently roll the root mass into a ball and insert into the enlarged hole, being very careful not to break any of the stems. 
 
For planting, feel with your thumb to find a spot where you can make another hole to insert a plant looking for a spot where there is no wire frame. The spot will be softer where the frame is not located. Review the topiary frame only picture to see what the topiary structure looks like. Use your dibble or screwdriver to make a large enough hole for the plant plug. Insert the plant plug. Follow up with some extra moss to fill the hole.
Secure the vine runners with floral pins.

Question 13

How to Replant a Topiary - You Tube Video

Accepted Answer

We created a You Tube video on How To Replant A Topiary.

Question 14

How to Train Your Topiary - You Tube Video

Accepted Answer

We created a You Tube video on How To Train Your Topiary when new vine plant growth starts.

Question 15

Care Card Instructions

Question 16

International Shipping

Accepted Answer

We can only ship international topiaries that are in the Frame or Stuffed only state. We are unable to send Planted versions. Please use our Contact Us form for shipping rates based on your location. Those in Canada can order through our site with a flat rate of $50 for shipping.

Question 17

Tips for the Mickey Head Topiary

Accepted Answer

Looking for options on the Mickey Head Topiary. Please read our Blog post, Mickey Head Topiary with Planter Pot.

Question 18

Winter season shipping to protect the health of the topiary plants

Accepted Answer

During the winter season, we carefully monitors the weather conditions in your delivery zip code to ensure temperatures remain above freezing at the time of package arrival. Since our live topiary plants are sensitive to cold, we delay shipping orders if freezing temperatures are expected, which helps protect the plants from damage during transit. This precaution may result in shipping delays of a few days, a week, or longer depending on the weather. If you have questions or need more specific information about your order status during the winter months, please contact us through our Contact Us form. If contacting us please look out for our email reply in your spam or junk email folder. We appreciate your patience.

Question 19

Returns and Exchanges

Accepted Answer

Moss and Vine Topiary sales are final. We do not accept returns or offer refunds. We may offer exchanges under limited circumstances. If an item is damaged as a result of quality or craftsmanship, customers must use our Contact Us form with your concern within 14 days of receiving items for an exchange. Moss and Vine Topiary reserves the right to refuse any exchange. The customer is responsible for all shipping charges beyond initial shipment.

You’re probably happy to know that we can offer exchanges under certain circumstances but still disappointed that we don’t offer any returns. Let us explain why. We are a small business, a very small business that makes many of our products to order. We typically don’t make a product until someone orders it. So when you place an order, we’re making it specifically for you. We believe deeply in the quality of our products.

Thank you for taking the time to read about our policy and our business. We hope it offers answers to your questions and improves your online shopping experience with us. As always, please reach out if you have any additional questions. We’re here for you!

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