Materials:

• 12x12x4-inch wood box or vintage seed flat
• Potting soil
• Floral wire
• 10-inch bamboo skewer
• Small pebbles 
• 13 young herb plants

continue reading below

Young Herb Plants:

1. Variegated lemon thyme topiary (Thymus citriodorus)

2. Golden marjoram (Origanum vulgare 'Aureum Crispum') 

3. Dwarf sage (Salvia officinalis)

4. Dwarf curry (Helichrysum angustifolium)

5. Mini purple basil (Ocimum basilicum)

6. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

7. Thyme (Thymus 'Silver Edge')

8. Yellow transparent thyme (Thymus vulgaris 'Aureus')

9. Purple sage (Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens')

10. Germander (Teucrium canadense)

11. Gray santolina (Santolina chamaedryoides)

12. Syrian oregano (Origanum 'Maru')

13. Thyme (Thymus 'Dot Wells')

Step 1:

Use a wood seed flat or a similar 12x12x4-inch wood box for the container. If the box is watertight, drill several small drainage holes in the bottom. Fill the box with sterile potting soil that does not include fertilizer. Gently level the soil, filling to 1 inch from the top.

Step 2:

To create the thyme topiary tree, strip the bottom leaves from the lower half of each stem of a young variegated lemon thyme. Gather the stems together, tying them into a bundled "trunk" with floral wire. Plant the topiary tree in the center of the container, and insert a bamboo skewer or other small stake into the soil along the stem. Tie the main stem to the skewer in two places with floral wire.

Step 3:

Gently pull three rooted stems of Thymus 'Dot Wells' away from the base of the plant, and reserve them for later. Trim the remaining 11 young herb plants into small rounded shapes. If plants have multiple stems, trim some of the older stems, leaving only two or three central stems on each small plant.

Step 4:

Plant three herbs in each corner of the container, pressing the soil firmly against the roots. When the plants are arranged to your liking, re-level the soil, smoothing it in place and removing excess soil as needed. Water the plants gently.

Step 5:

Trace diagonal lines for the path with a finger. Carefully cover the path with pebbles about 1⁄2 inch deep. Gently press the pebble paths into place.

Step 6:

Gently plant the reserved Thymus 'Dot Wells' around the topiary, tucking the roots into the soil with a skewer or pencil.