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What is Topiary?

What is topiary? Topiary is a timeless art that goes beyond simple trimming. It’s the horticultural craft of sculpting trees and shrubs into ornamental shapes, blending nature with design. This art transforms plants into a variety of forms, from classic spirals to whimsical animals, enhancing any outdoor space.

Where does Topiary originate?

While topiary originated in ancient Rome, it truly flourished in 17th-century Europe. However, its popularity among English elites saw a sudden decline after satirist Alexander Pope parodied it in The Guardian. Despite this, the craft quietly endured in cottagers’ gardens, where a single, hand-shaped specimen often became a treasured family heirloom.

By the mid-1800s, topiary experienced a strong revival. Victorian garden designers, influenced by writers like Shirley Hibberd, rediscovered its appeal. Hibberd famously stated, “We may not always want the most beautiful natural form, but one of our own design, expressive of our ingenuity.” Topiary also gained popularity during the American Renaissance (1880–1920). It continues to be celebrated today in restored historical gardens as a unique form of green architecture.

Why Topiary?

Topiary is an excellent choice for homeowners and businesses aiming to enhance their landscapes. Plants such as Chinese privet, Bay, Common Yew, and Box-leaved Holly are frequently selected for this purpose. Their small, dense leaves and naturally compact growth make them ideal for training into various elaborate designs. Whether you are looking for a traditional sphere, an intricate animal shape, or even numbers and letters, topiary adds style, structure, and a unique personality to any environment.

What Topiary plants do we stock?

At King & Co, we stock a wide range of topiary including clipped balls and cones, spirals and pom-poms and 1/2 standard trees!

1. Clipped balls. We have a wide range of clipped balls available including varieties like Euonymus ‘Green Spire’, Box-leaved holly, Bay, Photinia, Portuguese laurel and Yew!

2. Clipped Cones. We also stock Box-leaved holly that has been clipped into a cone shape!

Ilex crenata Carolina Upright cone

3. Spirals and Pom-Poms. We stock Leyland cypress trees that have been clipped into spiral and pom-pom shape. They make an eye catching architectural feature.

4. Half and Quarter Standard Trees. A fantastic choice for bringing both height and visual interest to smaller gardens. They look particularly striking look when placed near doorways or along driveways.

At King & Co, we offer a selection of premium topiary trees and shrubs. From elegant spirals and balls to custom-shaped numbers, our topiary range is perfect for gardens, patios, or commercial spaces. Easy to maintain and visually striking, our topiary products are crafted to impress and built to last.

Whether you’re designing a formal garden or making a bold entrance statement for your business, topiary adds a touch of living art that captivates year-round. So next time someone asks “What is topiary?”, you’ll know it’s not just gardening…it’s artistry, tradition, and creativity, all rolled into one.

Shopping online

You can buy trees, hedging, shrubs and topiary online by browsing our website.
If you do not see a plant or size that is suitable for you then please call as we stock a wide variety of plants in our tree nursery. It’s worth noting that many other websites sell other people’s stock (i.e. they act as an agent) so you cannot view the products at their own site. At King & Co, all of our advertised plants are available for viewing at our tree nursery in Rayne, near Braintree, situated just over an hours drive out of London.

Our knowledgeable and experienced tree nursery staff are always contactable via phone on 01376 340469 or if you have any questions regarding any of our trees or accessories.

If you cannot see what you require on our website, please complete the enquiry form. We will give it our urgent attention and will get back to you shortly with a solution that meets your needs.

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Popular Trees and Hedging Plants at the Tree Nursery…

If you are looking for specific evergreen trees, Photinia, Leylandii hedging, Leylandii trees, instant hedging or shrubs, use the search bar at the top of the page