Julius Caesar probably strolled in villa gardens filled with it. Henry VIII may well have wooed one, (or more), of his wives behind hedges of it. Louis XIV made it into a stunning art form. The Dutch excelled at it.
Topiary at Versailles
Topiary : the art of trimming and training plants to create geometric or natural shapes , often called ” the art of living sculptures”.
Topiary in a Flemish garden in Mechelen.
Cultivation : For year round structure, yew (Taxus baccata) and box (Buxus sempervirens) are the usual evergreens used, although other species such as privet and holly can be suitable too. If you are establishing a box-hedged garden, keep an eye out for any bare or brown patches which might be the result of a fungal disease, box blight (Cylindrocladium buxicola), and destroy affected plants. Pruning in northern hemispheres is generally done in early June and then again in Autumn, so that new growth is not damaged by frost. After clipping, feed and mulch. Box is very easy to propagate from cuttings.
Stunningly clipped topiary
Topiary : evergreen structure for a front drive
Balls, pyramids and cubes are the best subjects to begin with. Topiary frames are available to help with more complex shapes, such as animals, once you feel confident.
Topiary spiral in terracotta pot creates impact.
Historically,Topiary has been used as Mazes and Labyrinths, Parterres and Knot gardens, sometimes infilled with coloured gravel or with herbs or flowers.
Parterre garden infilled with flowers, with box balls behind.
Classic parterre de broderie at Vaux-le-Vicomte
Although it may seem a bit traditional and staid,
Topiary at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham
and the two specimens either side of the front door may be a cliché.
Topiary to frame an entrance and emphasise symmetry.
Yet, it does brings year-round structure and interest.
Topiary spirals in a front garden
and a sense of fun.
To create a more modern look, mass box balls for maximum impact,
Structure and formality in a modern garden using box balls
plant it in swirls instead of the usual straight lines,
plant blocks to create a contemporary clean look,
or mix it with modern planting such as grasses.
Design by Diarmuid Gavin
Certainly in winter, topiary is great for giving structure to a garden.
Jardin 
I do like topiary, for me it’s not just about the structure and sense of order that it brings to gardens, but I also find it wonderfully relaxing trimming hedges and shapes 🙂
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I agree, I find I can get quite engrossed and switch off from eveything else …
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Reblogged this on Old School Garden.
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How wonderful! I love the absolute neatness of topiary gardens. 🙂
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I do too, though I also like to have an informal area in a garden too – formal lines, informal planting.
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I have nominated your blog for a Liebster Award. If you accept, please answer the questions on my post and nominate 5 other people.
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Due to intermittant wifi whilst away, I didn’t respond earlier … thank you so much for the nomination. I will check out what is required!
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It really turned out to be a lot of work to accept the award. I think it is to increase readers. Not a problem if you decide to decline.
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Gee whiz, it would take me a year just to prune one of those shrubs into shape…
Lovely tour. Thank you and I’m wishing you a happy new year.
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Many thanks and very best wishes to you for 2015.
Lorna.
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This is a fabulous post! I love topiary and have lots on my garden- although none of it would match the perfection of these gorgeous photos. I thought the picture of the driveway was stunning! And I loved the mass planting of topiary balls.
Always inspirational, I have missed you appearing in my ‘reader’, so have clicked to ‘follow’ you again.
Karen.
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Thanks so much Karen … good to see you back. I’ve been travelling a lot and haven’t kept up with my own reading and Comments!
I love topiary too … though have to be in the right frame of mind when it comes to clipping it. The driveway is a favourite of mine!
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Good Thanks Topiary
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