It's hip to be square: Topiary's back at the 2008 RHS Chelsea Flower Show
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is the place to spot new gardening trends, and this
year is shaping up to be top for topiary, as formal, clipped design returns to the
show. The 2008 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, sponsored by Marshalls Landscapes Plc, takes
place on 20-24 May. To book tickets, visit www.rhs.org.uk/flowershows or or call 0870 842 2234.
A number of show
gardens at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show will be incorporating topiary or
clipped shrubs into classical, romantic and contemporary designs. Inspired by
the modern spaces of the Cadogan Estate, Robert Myers has designed 'A Cadogan
Garden' sponsored by Cadogan Estate Ltd. It is a contemporary garden which will
incorporate panels of clipped myrtle or box to form a foil and contrast to the
planting behind.Tom Stuart-Smith has designed 'The Laurent-Perrier Garden'
sponsored by Laurent-Perrier, which is a garden of elegant understatement based
on juxtaposing opposites. The garden features a grove of 30 year old hornbeams
which extend over the garden and are pruned so that the foliage forms a number
of rounded clouds that seem to float in mid-air. 'The Savills Garden', sponsored
by Savills and designed by Philip Nixon contains a perennial mix of flowers
within frames of Buxus. The garden is inspired by the Tate Modern, and the
journey through its varied spaces. 'The Reflective Garden' designed by Clare
Agnew and sponsored by Ruffer LLP, is geometric in plan and structure, but
inspired by nature. Tall structural trees and flowering plants are in huge
contrast to cool still reflective pools and horizontal groundcover. The planting
is leafy and textural, with bold use of Calamagrostris and Buxus cubes.
Alex Baulkwill, Show Manager of RHS Chelsea Flower Show, says: "Topiary is often
associated with grand, stately gardens, or very contemporary design, but at
Chelsea this year it will be seen in a variety of different settings. Visitors
to the show will see that many designers have incorporated elements of the art
within their gardens, to contrast or complement their designs. I hope that it
will demonstrate that topiary doesn't need to be a bold focal point in a garden,
but experimenting with it can add a subtly stylish twist to a garden." its website. Visit http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0503/topiary_training.asp
for information on choosing the right plants and tools, training techniques and maintenance.