Devoted to topiary in Colorado - Mountain Guide - Brief Article

Sunset, March, 2003 by Colleen Smith

The horticultural art of topiary dates back at least 2,000 years, to when the ancient Romans cut bushes and trees into ornamental shapes. Over the centuries, topiary has grown in and out of fashion. Today it seems to be enjoying a resurgence in popularity.

One of America's largest cultivators of topiary plants is Rabbit Shadow Farm in Loveland, Colorado. Inside the firm's 30,000-square-foot greenhouse, about 200 varieties of plants-- African mallow, Chinese jasmine, coleus, ivy, lavender, rosemary, and thyme among them--are pruned and trained into traditional topiary shapes, including cones, globes, hearts, and wreaths.

Owned by Jeff and Kristy Sorenson, a brother and sister team, the company supplies wholesalers in 37 states, but it also welcomes drop-in customers for retail sales. Prices range from $9 to $50 for plants in 3- to 10-inch pots, all of which come with care instructions. Most of the plants are frost tender, so they must be grown indoors during cold weather.

The Sorensons steer beginners toward more forgiving species, such as coleus. A shop at the entrance stocks an assortment of containers suited for topiary. You can also buy container gardens combining herbal topiary.

9-6 Mon-Sat, 10-4 Sun. From 1-25 in Loveland, take exit 255 and drive west about 2 1/2 miles to 2880 E. State 402. For more information or to request a mail-order plant list, call (800) 850-5531 or (970) 667-5531.