Topiary is a horticultural technique of training plants, trees and bushes in to interesting shapes and sculptures. The history of topiary art dates back to the Roman Empire when Cneius Matius Calvena introduced topiary techniques to decorate Roman gardens. The art of topiary has been popular in European and English gardens. Later, these techniques were modified to develop interesting topiaries in different cultures.

The best plants for creating topiary are evergreen and woody shrubs that produce dense foliage and columnar growth. Modern topiary artists prune and train plants to develop topiary hedges, decorative shapes or sculptures. Today, you can see many gardens specialized and known for their collection of topiary plants. Most popular of these topiary gardens are: Walter Hunnewell Arboretum, Ladew Topiary Gardens, Longwood Gardens and Green Animals Topiary Garden.