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Topiary is the art of clipping evergreen trees and shrubs into symmetrial shapes and is as old as gardening itself dating back to ancient Egypt. These days it is used in classic and contemporary gardens alike either as individual plants, or often as a close matching pair of plants, or as block planting as in a parterre or knot garden.
The species that are suitable for topiary are all evergreen, slow growing (to hold their shape for a long time), dense, and for some shapes, they are species which grow with strong, straight stems.
These days, topiary shaping is as much science as art - plants are photographed from all angles and then a computerised trimmer (like a robot) snips all around the foliage to create a symmetrical shape. Having said that, these are living plants and no two are identical - we do our absolute best to supply well-matched plants (where more than one of the same is ordered) but if it is particularly important to you to have perfectly matched plants please speak to us (on 01257 263873) and we'll check and measure our stock.
Whilst all topiary is expensive, it's worth bearing in mind that these are all very mature plants (some of our larger Box items or Bay Laurel standards are 10 years old), and the maintenance involved in making them into topiary is extensive - maybe 30 separate trims to get it to a good topiary shape plus the usual regular repotting, watering (every day), weeding and feeding that goes into every pot grown plant.
To keep a good shape and tight growth, topiary needs all-round and all-over light so it is incompatible with shade, although potted specimens can be rotated. Clipping should be done when the opportunity, inspiration, enthusiasm and weather all combine to make it possible - in late summer, so that there is the longest period of time (until May or June the following year) to enjoy the tightly clipped shapes. Some enthusiasts clip in early summer too but never clip too early in the year - you must make sure there is no possibility of night frosts. Always use very sharp tools.
All our topiary is hardy and suitable to withstand all that our weather can throw at us but given the expense of each piece, it is our recommendation that you take particular care to protect topiary - just simple precautions like gently brushing snow off, using pointed rather than flat topped shapes where long periods of snow are normal, providing ventilated shelter from severe winds and ensuring that specimens are well watered in summer and sheltered from very strong sunshine which can burn as much as winter winds.
We have shown in this listing our top selling topiary species and shapes but we also have partner growers in Holland and Italy who grow the whole range of unusual shapes. Please just ask and we'll source for you.
We have tried to give as clear an explanation as possible on the dimensions of each piece of topiary listed here but if you have any questions please phone us on 01257 263873 or 01257 266668. A quick word about cones and pyramids because we know this is confusing and websites generally are not clear - a cone has rounded sides (like an upside down ice cream cone) whereas a pyramid has triangular sides with sharp edges.
We can arrange delivery on a specific date for birthday/anniversary/birth of a baby or other gifts and we can gift wrap and include gift cards at a supplement of £3 per plant. Please phone us if you'd like the gift wrapping service.
We do not rent out our topiary - all plants are straight from our growers and we keep only small stocks of each size/shape so that they are completely fresh and vibrant.
Our website will automatically discount on all orders (other than those for discounted packs). Over £250 plus vat the discount is 5% and it increases to 12.5% on higher value orders. The shopping cart section will also calculate for you how much more you would need to spend to get a higher discount. Just "add to cart" to see how much discount applies.
Don't forget to order RootGrow or Bonemeal...
12.5% OFF ORDERS OVER £1000
10% OFF ORDERS OVER £500
7.5% OFF ORDERS OVER £350
5% OFF ORDERS OVER £250
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