The inaugural topiary awards are open now
Britain's best topiary artists, both professional and amateur, are being sought out in a new topiary award.


The search is on for Britain’s best topiary artists thanks to the inaugural Topiary Awards, which are now open for entries until May 31.
The awards are being run — fittingly — by a garden ladder specialist called Henchman, who will be handing out awards in two categories: best professional topiary, and best home garden creation. Entering is easy: simply send some pictures of your creations via the website at henchman.co.uk/henchman-topiary-awards.
The Judges include Elizabeth Hilliard, editor of European Boxwood and Topiary Society magazine Topiarus; Michael Buck, head of horticulture at Creepers Nursery; and Andy Bourke, aka The Hedge Barber, whose topiary creations have earned him a huge following on Instagram.
If you're looking for inspiration, Country Life has run plenty of articles over the years featuring some staggering hedges. In 2018 Mark Griffiths explained how to get started in topiary, and more recently we've looked at the stunning topiary at Cressy Hall, and an ex-Beatle's creations in our piece on George Harrison's garden.
‘Topiary has been an important part of British gardening for centuries and we hope the awards will not only shine a light on those talented individuals who create topiary, but also inspire the next generation of gardeners to try their hand,’ says Owen Simpson, managing director of Henchman. Winners will be announced, and prizes awards, at the RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival (July 2–7).
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Annunciata is director of contemporary art gallery TIN MAN ART and an award-winning journalist specialising in art, culture and property. Previously, she was Country Life’s News & Property Editor. Before that, she worked at The Sunday Times Travel Magazine, researched for a historical biographer and co-founded a literary, art and music festival in Oxfordshire. Lancashire-born, she lives in Hampshire with a husband, two daughters and a mischievous pug.
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