Topiary the Topic

“Animals in the Garden” is the theme of the San Diego Topiary Conference, to be held May 23 to 27 at the San Diego Zoo Otto Center. Sponsored by the American Ivy Society and the zoo, it will include masters of the craft from Callaway Gardens in Georgia, Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania, Strybing Arboretum in San Francisco and Walt Disney World in Florida.

Mia Hardcastle, who created the topiary frames for the movie “Edward Scissorhands,” will lead a special workshop on building the elaborate supporting structures the ivy climbs on.

There is a day of lectures and a day of hands-on workshops, plus an exhibition of topiaries from around the country. For a brochure, write to the Zoological Society of San Diego, P.O. Box 551, San Diego 92112, or call (619) 459-1235.