Topiary dreams

WIW 1 | Jan 2023

Photograph: Richard Bloom

Where It Works Levens Hall, an amazing topiary garden in Cumbria, UK, that has been gardened for more than 700 years. It claims to have the world’s oldest topiary and for good reason. levenshall.co.uk

Why It Works Because great topiary does something that other plants or planting combinations can’t do – it creates shape, form, texture, interest and splendour.

Good topiary is one of the best artforms a gardener can have. Take too much of the plant away and you’re left with little shape and too much branch; leave too much foliage on and the richness of shape is lost.

This yew (Taxus baccata) topiary works so well for its formality through informal shapes. Lumps, bumps, points, hats, rings, caps, cones, skirts, stalks….call them what you will. But the shapes that have been wrestled, controlled, defined and defended – over centuries – make for some of the most spectacular creations any garden could wish for.

Consider too the relationship between each shape; they are almost different personalities. Some rise up, some rise down; some are soft and domed, others pointed and hard; some large lumps, some lean athletes.

However you see them, enjoy them. They may not be human, but they seem to have personalities all of their own. That’s why they work.

Chris Young