Katy Perry’s Mini Topiary Backdrop Proves Classic Greenery Can Still Feel Modern – and You Can Get the Look in Your Garden

Another day, another reminder that Katy Perry will always remain an unnegotiable part of pop music's furniture. The star practically ruled the late 2000s and 2010s, producing hit after hit, looking gorgeous while doing it.

But I couldn't help but drag my eyes away from her for a moment as she donned a stunning gown at the Joy Awards to acknowledge the identical rows of miniature square hedges lined up behind her.

They look so simultaneously grand and elegant, crafting the perfect walkway up to the event's sign.

I had to learn more about them and how a person could best replicate the look in their yard, so I spoke to Bryan Clayton, co-founder of GreenPal and long-time landscaper. Perhaps it's not the best addition for the average home's living room, but you could craft a beautiful feature outdoors. Here's how to do it.

Why Is Topiary So Effective?

Indoor greenery like this often stars at celebrity events, inviting the outside in and creating a lovely backdrop for photos.

The uniform nature of the hedges creates clean, defined lines that don't bleed into the rest of the room's decor, keeping the area as a contained foliage feature. Opting for low-maintenance hedges will massively help to maintain a clean aesthetic.

Planting up the hedges in neat rows helps to keep things contained and instantly causes the eye to follow along the central path between the rows, to look right at the Joy Awards sign.

The arched feature underneath the sign is an incredibly important design note to observe, too, as too many clean lines would cause the space to look rather "boxy".

How Can I Achieve This Look?

Bryan recommends planting up your hedges either entirely outdoors or in a partially outdoor area such as a patio. This will make everything easier to maintain and ensure your hedges are getting enough sunlight.

He says: "These setups work best in semi-outdoor spaces. Think covered courtyards, atriums, or areas with natural airflow and light. Fully indoor environments make this far more difficult because you’re trying to force outdoor plants to behave like houseplants.

"That’s why this look is rare. When it’s done well, it’s impressive. But it’s definitely not a low-effort or low-maintenance project."

To help with maintenance if you're planning to keep hedges like this around long-term, he believes the following tools will give your hedges the best chance at survival and keep them looking immaculate:

• A drip irrigation system: Hedges require constant watering, especially in warmer climates. Investing in a drip irrigation system like the MIXC 230ft Irrigation System Kit from Amazon will ensure they say perky and green, not droopy from dehydration.
• Misting tools: Misting can also massively help to keep a hedge's leaves in top form. A simple bottle like the Huauoo Plastic Spray Bottle 2 Pack from Walmart will do the trick.
• Pruning shears: If you want to keep your hedges in neat shapes, a good pair of pruning shears is non-negotiable. The Corona Forged Classic Bypass Pruner is a popular pick.
• Aphid spray: Aphids eating holes in your hedge's leaves will ruin them in no time, so it's best to try keep them at bay from the start. Something like the Neem Oil Natural Plant Wash Spray will work wonders.
• Uplighting (optional): Many celebrities love a bit of extra lighting to create a feature or backdrop, so if you'd like to do this with your hedges add some of the SUNTHIN Outdoor Landscape Lighting into the soil. They would look lovely at night, and the lighting would emphasize their perfect silhouette.