Question
Hi Gina,
I would like to create a few topiaries no larger than 3 feet in height shaped like animals for my patio.  I would like your expert advice on what materials (mesh or chicken wire?) I would need to make them out of. What kind of Ivy & is that the only type of vine that would work?  How do I care for it?  I also would like to make some of dried moss or any other green dried floral product you could recommend.  Do you have a recommendation for a book or guide on the subject? Thank you.

Answer
Topiaries, particularly very elaborate animal ones, are great fun; but they are also a very time consuming hobby and one that takes literally years to mature fully.

To begin, you can either create your own cage or purchase one premade.  Either way, small gauge chicken wire over steel rod support is your best choice.  Without the rod support, the weight of the plants/moss/soil will bend your form out of shape very quickly.

Fill with a lightweight potting mix that has a HydroCrystal additive.  The additive is important as the topiary is difficult to water at best.

To that, insert your plants... a small leaf ivy is fine, although I prefer a creeping thyme for its compactness and ability to spread and mound without excessive trimming.  

Around each plant, you will want to lay down moss and pin that to the form through the soil with U shaped floral pins.

The plants should be no more than 4" apart.

There is an excellent book on the Gardens at Disneyworld that gives an indepth topiary rewview.  Probably the best I've seen... "Gardening with the Mouse" I believe is the title.

Have fun and good luck!

Gina