Topiary

(Paperback)

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Description

Topiary, the art of creating sculpture in clipped plants, originated with the Romans and experienced periods of popularity during the Renaissance and Jacobean eras. However, as the fervour for 'natural' landscapes swept through Europe in the eighteenth century, fashion mocked the few gardeners who continued to clip, and in 1890 William Robinson claimed that 'a man with shears in his hands is doing fool's work'. But as 'ye old Englishe garden' found favour again, so the chess pieces, crowns and artful peacocks broke cover. Today, topiary has seen a revival, and amateurs in the art can purchase 'preformed' rabbits and deer to graze suburban lawns.

Reviews

"This small booklet contains a wealth of information about a subject that has a long history and occasionally wide popularity. The first record of creating sculpture in clipped plants was at the beginning of the Christian era when a friend of Augustus Caesar introduced this novelty called topiary. The British author traces the story of these wondrous delights to some, but not all gardeners. This heavily illustrated treatise is remarkably filled with stories and fantastic displays that will intrigue every gardener. The author includes a directory of British public gardens that feature topiary sculptures." --Marilyn K Alaimo, Chicago Botanic Garden Journal of Current Books on Gardening and Botany (March 2010)

Author Bio

Twigs Way is a garden historian who specialises in social and political aspects of gardens and landscapes. Her other books include 'Virgins, Weeders and Queens: A History of Women in the Garden', 'Crocodiles in the Fernery: An A-Z of Animals in the Garden' and, for Shire, 'Allotments' and 'Garden Gnomes'. Twigs lives in Cambridge.