The Wild Rabbit and The Fox are both part of the Daylesford estate – one of the most sustainable organic farms in the UK.
Agrumi has a close relationship with Daylesford and was more than happy to create a few custom topiary pieces to adorn their Inns.
Firstly, a threesome of living topiary foxes were created - each with a unique pose: alert, leaping and sitting.
They are displayed in 3 different areas around 'The Fox' Inn, to create interest at the front entrance, garden steps and bar window.
The inns were both restored using locally sourced natural materials and centuries old techniques, creating a long-lasting environment with minimum impact to the surroundings. They used reclaimed timber, with roof insulation made with sheep’s wool from their organic farm and turned their own cattle hides into leather for the pub’s seating. The aim is to leave the lightest imprint on our planet while creating unique spaces filled with warmth and character.
Sustainability is a key value for Daylesford, which is why they choose to use living plant topiary in their designs. This approach not only adds natural beauty and life to the Inns, but it is also environmentally friendly as the plants continue to grow and thrive over time. By using living topiary, Agrumi and Daylesford are showing their commitment to preserving the environment and promoting sustainable practices in their work.
More recently, a pair of living topiary rabbits was created for another inn: 'The Wild Rabbit'.
The name is a nod to its original title: Conygree Farm – an Anglo Saxon word meaning rabbit enclosure. More recently it was the Tollgate Inn; a building constructed in Cotswolds stone with beautiful proportions, known for its convivial atmosphere and unusual double fireplace.
Agrumi were thrilled to be asked to support Linney – the creative production specialists in marketing- with their launch of Peter Rabbit's topiary tour at the start of the summer holidays, ready for the film’s release.
The promotion of the feature involved creating a 3 metre tall rabbit in a similar pose from the film, made from artificial boxwood for the body and specially ordered light blue artificial grass for Peter’s denim shirt jacket on top of a green base.
It was crucial that the sculpture was able to be moved around multiple locations including Manchester’s Trafford Centre, the Bullring in Birmingham, London’s Olympic park and Brighton beach. The base was specifically designed with a compartment for weights, meaning they could be easily removed when travelling and weighted down once in place, for security.
Topiary Peter proved extremely popular for families to take photos including stars of the film and celebrities such as Imogen Thomas, who posed with her daughters at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, recreating his cheeky pose!
Could you promote your upcoming event with some topiary sculptures? Just get in touch!