The word ‘topiary’ is derived from the Latin word topiarius; meaning ‘landscape gardener’.
Topiary is the horticultural art of clipping and training shrubs or trees into ornamental shapes and sculptures. The resulting topiary shape can be as exotic and elaborate as desired; ranging from animal shapes and figures to a well trimmed hedge.
There are many different styles of topiary, each favoured by different regions of the world and at different times of history.
The most notable gardens, mazes and sculptures are discussed below.
This style of topiary became popular during the Italian Renaissance and influenced French gardens after the invasion of Italy by Charles VIII. Beautifully ornate, clipped hedges (often using Buxus Sempervirens, or Box) are laid out in symmetrical patterns, usually on a large scale. Gravel paths are often placed between the hedges with statues and plants in pots among them. As time went on the designs became more and more elaborate with colorful plants and flowers added for interest.
First established in England during the reign of Elizabeth I, these gardens again follow very formal designs with low hedges cut in criss-cross patterns literally resembling knots. Traditionally the hedges would be made from aromatic plants and culinary herbs. Today the hedges may be fashioned from Box (or similar) with gravel paths and aromatic plants and herbs in between. In this case they may be more accurately called Parterres.
In gardening terms, a maze is constructed from tall, clipped hedging and offers a branching puzzle to walk through with choices of path and direction. A labyrinth offers a single, non-branching path. The goal in each case is to reach the centre of the garden. Pleasure gardens with mazes and labyrinths evolved from the Parterre and Knot gardens of Renaissance Europe. The oldest surviving example in England was built for King William III in the late 17th century at Hampton Court Palace.
Topiary sculptures are a more modern development and most often consist of standard, geometric shapes like pyramids and spirals; however, the resurgence of topiary became a unique way to represent animals and figures, with its use in special displays such as at theme parks, festivals and promotional events across the globe. The shapes can be made by trimming a bushy shrub or tree down, or, by using a wire frame which can either be stuffed with moss or used as a pruning guide to grow plants around it.
People and fantasy characters make for fantastic topiary sculptures; have a set made to a particular theme for display, include props to enhance them, and they will surely turn heads.
The range of people and fantasy characters we can make is limited only by imagination; we make to fit whatever your specifications!
We have been commissioned to make figures for parties, shows, exhibitions and as permanent fixtures in private spaces. For instance, we made a giant chess set for a famous authors garden, people and dogs to add to the audience at a public event, and many many more.
We are currently working on a full set of Alice in Wonderland figures based on the 19th century drawings by John Tenniel, to be displayed at the RHS Hampton Court Garden Show.
We’re often approached by people who need topiary pieces made up in a hurry, or for an event that is too soon to give our standard Ligustrum time to fluff up. In these situations we have several tried and tested solutions to produce healthy looking topiary art exactly to the customers’ specification, in just a matter of weeks.
Climbers, such us Star Jasmine and Ivy's, are energetic climbers than will rapidly cover a wire frame; making them an excellent solution to producing an elegant sculpture in a hurry. They're easy to wrap around the wire frame, without damaging the plant, and can be used to create a fuller effect in far less time than you'd get with Ligustrum or Buxus, for example. Star Jasmine also has the added bonus of producing extremely fragrant flowers!
Examples
Artificial boxwood matting is a covering of realistic plastic foliage which can be used on a standard wire frame to create a green and bushy topiary sculpture in a fraction of the time. Fire resistant and UV stable options are available, and the final products have the added benefit of being suited to life indoors, as well as being highly portable.
Examples
Price wise artificial boxwood sculptures are available at very similar prices to those made from living material.
Namgrass is a near neighbour of Agrumi in the New Forest and they just happen to be Britain’s premier supplier of artificial grass. Namgrass products have a natural look and feel and have been a perfect partner for Agrumi’s topiary skills when clients want a design that’s light weight and easily portable. Agrumi have made a range of products with Namgrass
Examples
Dried moss topiary figures can be made as a green natural alternative to living topiary that we use to create fuller looking products in an instant; producing healthy looking, soft topiary which requires very little maintenance.
Examples
Artificial Boxwood matting can be very effective if you're looking for a low maintenance realistic alternative to living topiary plants that can be ready in an instant. We use a variety with deep 'foliage' and tonal shades of green which replicate the real thing. It is also UV fade protected, for long-term outdoor use, light, sturdy, and weather-resistant.
The same talented wire artists that create Agrumi's living plant topiary at our New Forest nursery can use this to make topiary that requires absolutely no on-going care. It's the perfect choice for clients wanting to commission items that they can transport and use over and over again for events and exhibitions both indoors and out.
Agrumi have created a range of Boxwood topiary sculptures; including a big scottie dog for Radley Co. as an artificial topiary piece.
Agrumi’s prices are very competitive; price-wise there is little difference between bespoke topiary made from artificial boxwood matting and that made of living plants, as it requires the same amount of work – give us a call and we can work something out!
Back to Artificial Topiary page
Hyundai recently introduced the world’s first production model Hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicle, the ix35. Powered by renewable energy and zero-emissions technology it offers the first viable alternative to the internal combustion engine.
Looking for ‘green’ ways to promote their new product, Hyundai came to Agrumi to make a 1:2 topiary version of the hydrogen-powered original. We were all too pleased to help promote green energy in the greenest way we know; using dyed dried moss to create a dense , soft to the touch, detailed model.
We made our topiary car with the boot open to reveal bottles of water – symbols of the green, clean and renewable future that inspired Hyundai’s new model.
Conde Nast, publisher of Tatler magazine, asked us to create a life-size horse and hounds for their ‘Best of British’ edition and clients Jaeger. The animals were created in natural moss that was dried and coloured a vibrant green.
To see our Horse and Hounds in the studio, watch this video:
After the shoot, we modified the horse to fit a window display at Jaeger’s flagship store on London’s Regent Street. The display encourages shoppers to take a ‘selfie’ with our horse and share it to Instagram and Twitter to enter a competition.
Dobbies chain of garden centres wanted a giant topiary Easter bunny to mark the official start of spring and the gardening season.
Positioned in Greenwich Park, the bunny was used by Dobbies PR to encourage budding gardeners and al fresco aficionados to get outdoors and enjoy the predicted spell of great weather. Andy King, Managing Director at Dobbies said the bunny was an iconic symbol of Easter and would make people think about their outdoor spaces.
For a relatively small financial outlay the bunny helped Dobbies create a story that featured in print - including ‘The Times’ - and social media.
The bunny now lives outside Dobbie’s store in Shrewsbury where it acts as a beacon to customers for the green treats inside.
The Lady Gaga shoe was commissioned to launch a week-long event of floral and fashion themed festivities. This two metre high stiletto was positioned in St Christopher’s Place in London, just a stone’s throw away from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street.
The design was based on a pair of similarly formed denim stiletto shoes purchased by Lady Gaga from Lungta de Fancy in St Christopher’s Place. The local traders wanted to commemorate the celebrity visit, and what better way than through the art of topiary!
St Christopher’s Place wanted the shoe covered in living plants and we used fast-growing Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), which offers the added bonus of seasonal, fragrant white flowers.
It took just a week to create this piece from scratch. The success of the project inspired St Christopher’s Place to commission another shoe from Agrumi, but this time covered in twinkly LED lights.
Paultons Park, the family theme park in Hampshire, first asked Agrumi to supply bespoke topiary in 2010. Since then we’ve made yearly additions to the park’s rides and gardens. Our sculptures have been a big hit with Paultons’ visitors – appreciated by adults and children alike for their sense of fun.
Paultons’ Jungle Falls gardens are now home to a magnificent topiary rhino, a family of gorillas, a pair of African cranes, a life-size giraffe, an elephant with her baby, and a two and a half meter crocodile.
By the Cobra Ride is a towering topiary snake head, just along from a pair of stalking topiary Velociraptors, and minutes away from a pair of windsurfers accompanying the Raging River Ride.
The Forest Friends area is home to a lifelike family of deer and numerous rabbits, hares, badgers and foxes.
Peppa Pig World offers younger children entry into a magical land based on the muchloved television characters and Agrumi has supplied many of the sculptures in this area.
Paultons’ most recent themed ride features a spectacular Victorian carousel, for which Agrumi supplied a huge range of circus characters in living topiary.
