Topiary Clipping!
Topiary has been popular since the days of ancient Rome and, if the tomb paintings of ancient Egypt are to be taken literally, even before. The earliest literary description of topiary (the art of clipping trees and bushes into geometric or whimsical shapes) comes from the Roman Consul Pliny the Elder (AD 62-110) writing about his garden in Tuscany, Italy. It seems that its immediate popularity was ensured as the gardener who first introduced it to the Romans, Cneius Matius, was a close friend of Julius Caesar and the Emperor Augustus. It is more than likely that the Romans introduced topiary into Great Britain and it has had a chequered history ever since.
Topiary at Great Dixter, East Sussex, England
This Website aims to show that history and to give details and photographs of the major topiary gardens in the United Kingdom such as Levens Hall, Hidcote Manor, Knightshayes and Great Dixter. It will also, eventually provide a comprehensive database of specimens of topiary in other gardens including smaller public and private ones.
This Website is created by Anthony Blagg, who lives in Worcestershire with his wife, shears and family of ever growing topiary.
Nailers Cottage in the frost, Worcestershire, EnglandHave you seen something that has caught your eye? We are always interested to hear of unusual topiary specimens from anywhere in the United Kingdom. Please send us a line, and perhaps a photograph, which could be published here.
New articles and photographs included recently are Clipsham Yew Avenue, Chirk Castle and Drummond Castle Gardens.
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