topiary standards or lollipops

Standards or “lollipops” are available in many varieties of plant, such as small leaf Privet (Ligustrum jonandrum), Hollies (Ilex), Box (Buxus sempervirens), Yew (Taxus baccata), Elaeagnus ebbingei, Conifers (Cupressus, Chamaecyparis), Bay (Laurus nobilis), Portuguese laurel (Prunus lusitanica), Photinia Red Robin, Quercus ilex and Viburnum tinus.

Standards are measured by the clear stem, overall height and the diameter of the head of the plant. A full size standard would have a clear stem of 180cm or more, half standards have 80-100cm clear stems and there are a variety of quarter standards and mini standards with different sized clear stems.

Standards are commonly used to decorate outside doors and to divide areas in the garden.