Niwaki | The Art of Cloud Pruning

You might be wondering what cloud pruning is. As the names suggests, it’s a Japanese method of topiary aka Niwaki, which translates to garden tree, where trees and shrubs are pruned into shapes that resemble clouds to fit seamlessly into the landscape of Japanese gardens.

They can be found in all shapes and sizes and I find their soft cloud like shapes aesthetically pleasing. Safe to say I fell down a cloud pruning hole and thought I’d share some favourites with you.

In Japanese gardens, often the same types of plants are used but variety is created by shaping and training them, using nature itself as inspiration, imitating the shapes of clouds and wind swept and lightning struck trees as you’d find them in the wild.

If you’re green fingered (unlike me) and want to have a go at the art of cloud pruning and you’re wondering which trees are best, then from my research your best bet is a yew, pine or cypress…or if you don’t fancy doing it yourself, just search for podocarpus cloud tree and you can just buy one ;) 

Image credits unknown

See prints I’ve created inspired by Japanese Gardens: Dusk Grove, Dawn Mountain View, Between The Falls, Dusk Grove (colour), Dawn Mountain View (colour) and Between The Falls (colour).

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