On average, it takes almost a year to grow and shape the topiaries presented here and the people from Dutch Flower House take great pride in creating the best possible plants that will beautify every garden. Whether on a deck, patio, or balcony, your plant will be eye catching all the time.
To get the most out of each plant it would be best if they are re-potted into a larger sized pot after the purchase. A clay pot with a stable base, or something similar, will do fine. Make sure the new pot has drainage holes in the bottom to prevent overwatering and to keep the soil moist at all times without overwatering. Fertilize flowering topiaries every week in the summer and every two weeks in the fall.
Due to the size of the topiaries, it is recommended to place the plants in a spot where they are protected from strong winds. For most varieties: party sun and partly shade serves them best. Read the plant-labels for individual plant information.
The patio plants, or topiaries, that Dutch Flower House grows are all annuals. This means that they will not survive the winters as we are used to here in Canada or the northern part of the USA.
To keep the plant through the winter, bring it in before the first frost. When the soil is semi-dry, cut the plant back to an acceptable size and put it in a cool, dark spot. The temperature in which it is kept should be between 6-10°C (42-50°F). When the plant is in its hibernating stage, it may drop all of its leaves and look as if it has died. A plant that has few leaves or no leaves at all does not need much water. Water it moderately so that the roots do not dry out and make sure not to overwater the plant.
If such a spot is not available and the plant is kept under warmer conditions, it will more or less stay active. Depending on the variety and light intensity, the new shoots will be stretching. Pinch them back up to a few leaves regularly, and water sparsely.
In the spring, bring the plant outside as temperatures rise and there is no more risk of frost. Be aware that the plant will have to adjust to outside circumstances again and avoid full sun in the beginning. Enjoy!