Training a Standard

The word standard in a horticultural context doesn't mean regular, or usual; rather, it refers to a plant, either woody or herbaceous, that has been trained to have a single, treelike stem. (This sense of the word goes back at least to 1625, when Sir Francis Bacon used it in his essay “Gardens.”) But though the word might take some getting used to, standards themselves have an immediate appeal, lending a note of elegance, formality, or even pure geometric whimsy to both indoor and outdoor settings.

Almost any plant that grows with a long, straight stem can be trained into a standard. Be sure to start with a healthy, well-grown plant with a strong, central stem that is already as tall as you want the standard's crown to be.

1. Cut back the central leader to the point where you want the crown to form. Then cut off most of the lower stems, leaving only a tuft of foliage at the top. Cut back the tips of the remaining stems so that they will branch and become bushy .

2. Stake the plant with a slender piece of wood or bamboo, and tie the stem to the stake in two or three places using twist—ties or string. Be careful not to injure the stem by tying too tightly. Give the plant plenty of light (turning it daily to ensure even growth), water regularly, and feed once a month with a soluble fertilizer. Once the crown has filled out and the stem has increased in girth, you may remove the stake.

3. Shape the crown whenever it becomes too overgrown or begins to lose its desired form. Don't be afraid to cut back quite drastically—the plant will recover.