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Of all the fascinating things a gardener can do in the landscape, topiary heads the list for creative challenge while providing unique and interesting contrasts. Webster's New College Dictionary defines topiary as "...the clipping or trimming of live shrubs or trees into decorative shapes, as those of animals or birds."
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 This artful pruning skill is, by no means, modern; several sources cite the Persian Empire and Ancient Egypt as perhaps the origin of the art. Roman Consul Pliny the Elder (AD 62-110) described elaborate animals, geometric, and whimsical shapes in the garden of his Tuscan villa. Most experts on the art agree that the Romans introduced topiary into Great Britain, one of the treasure troves of fantastic sculpted gardens. After the Romans departed, topiary was largely confined to monastery gardens.
In the Far East, topiary is practiced somewhat differently, with the focus being on the natural forms created by wind and weather. Japanese bonsai (literal meaning: tree in a pot) is an excellent illustration of this style. Chinese penjing is the creation of miniature landscapes in a tray, usually with one central "tree" or "shrub." Japanese "cloud-pruning" more closely resembles the familiar structured approach of topiary in the outdoor landscape.
Traditional topiary shapes included cubes, balls, pyramids, cones, obelisks, and other similar shapes, with the occasional animal or bird as conversational pieces. The art form spread around the world, with each "artist" striving to design and perfect the "next big thing." Sixteenth century gardener Andre le Notre designed huge elaborate hedges for the Palace of Versailles outside Paris and, soon, this "Versaill es style" became all the rage in Denmark, Germany, Russia, and Sweden. The Dutch took the design concept one step further, adding individual specimens as points of interest. After the Norman conquest, mazes and labyrinths were very popular, but topiary commanded the formal landscape in the seventeenth century.
English topiary declined in popularity amongst the aristocrats in the eighteenth century, but still flourished in cottage gardens on a smaller scale. Though the art was seldom found in early American gardens, the American Renaissance (1880-192 0) led to more interest in the style and, as a result, the topiary maze at the Governor's Palace in Colonial Williamsburg was replanted in the 1930's.
Topiary today is as whimsical and charming as in ages past. From the formal "gates," "grottoes," "porticos," and "rooms" to fantastical donkeys, eagles, boats, bears, steam trains, and even racing cars, topiary continues to work its ancient charm on all who view it.
 | Toni Leland has been writing for over 20 years. She has written a biweekly gardening newspaper column as a spokesman for the Ohio State University Master Gardener program, and writes for Grit magazine and Romance Writers Report. She has been a gardener all her life, working soil all over the world. In her day job, she scripts and produces educational DVDs about caring for Miniature Horses, as well as writing and editing books about this unique height breed. |
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Subject: Topiary story / website
Posted by HoosierGreen (from Danville, IN) on January 21, 2008 at 3:25 PM:For a wonderful, heart-warming story and inspirational website, check out [HYPERLINK@www.fryarstopiaries.com] which is the actual website of the man behind the Indie movie, A Man Named Pearl. If you haven't heard about him yet, you owe it to yourself to check this out. You won't be disappointed. ... Posted by tonileland (from Nashport, OH) on January 22, 2008 at 8:29 AM: Hi. Yes, I've included his wonderful garden in the third part of this topiary series. Thanks for the note. ...
Subject: Nice overview!
Posted by Islandshari (from Kwajalein
(Marshall Islands)) on January 18, 2008 at 5:23 PM:Toni, great job of whetting the appetite for more info on a beautiful topic! Having traveled quite extensively, I am always thrilled by the imaginations of some of the topiary gardens I have seen. Looking forward to the rest of this series!
Yokwe,
Shari ... Posted by Dea (from Frederick, MD) on January 18, 2008 at 6:26 PM: Agree! We've only been to one that's here in Maryland, but it was fun :)
[HYPERLINK@www.ladewgardens.com]
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