Topiary

… Buxus sempervirens … Cupressus macrocarpa Goldcrest … Ilex crenata … Laurus nobilis … Taxus baccata … Fortunella marginata … Juniperus chinensis Blue Alps …

It may well be that grazing or browsing animals were the original inspiration for topiary. Shrubs, hedges and heathland gorse grazed by animals form curious shapes, especially when the branches which they can’t reach are allowed to grow unchecked.

What we do know for sure is that topiary is in evidence as far back as in ancient Greece with etchings showing ordered and shaped rows of hedging, trees and shrubs. Romans made topiary into a craft and the Italian renaissance developed the theme.

The qualities that make good topiary plants are found in a relatively limited number of evergreens, all of which we stock in our nursery. For example, the common box, which we know was used by the Romans, is a classic plant suitable for low hedges and medium-sized topiary.

It forms a dense surface when clipped and its relatively slow rate of growth enables it to hold its shape well, making it a low maintenance favourite in our gardens. It is very hardy which makes it a perfect choice for gardens in our very changeable modern day climate.

TENDERCARE has a whole section of the nursery dedicated to topiary plants. A browse around will find typical examples such as yew, taxus, leylandii, boxus and bay trained and clipped into elegant, fun and simply fantastic designs.