AHS LIVE: Topiary 101: A Beginner Guide to Living Sculpture
with Michael Gibson, topiary artist
Thursday, October 30, 2025 from 7-8 p.m. ET
Virtual
$15 AHS members/$20 non-members
Topiary is one of the most enduring and expressive forms of horticultural art. In this introductory lecture, participants will explore the essential principles and practices behind creating and maintaining topiary. From plant selection and tool recommendations to basic shaping techniques, this session offers a practical foundation for anyone interested in bringing structure, creativity, and form to the garden. Whether you’re a home gardener, educator, or simply curious about the art of living sculpture, this presentation will provide the insight and inspiration to help you get started.
Michael P. Gibson is a world-renowned, self-taught topiarist, Therapeutic Horticultural Practitioner, and founder of Gibson Works LLC, with over 30 years of experience transforming spaces through his signature “illusion topiary” style that blends geometry, symbolism, and storytelling. After leaving a successful corporate career in 2019 to pursue topiary full-time, he has created over 600 living sculptures across the country, been featured on HGTV’s Clipped with Martha Stewart, served as artist-in-residence at the Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden, and received honors including the APGA Garden Scholar Award and the U.S. Botanic Garden’s Sowing Excellence Award. Based in Columbia, South Carolina, Gibson shares his craft through lectures, demonstrations, and Topiary Therapy workshops.