Topiary tips

Alison Patel writes: Gardeners who are struggling to think of ways to improve their garden over the winter may want to consider the advantages of clipped hedging and topiary.

The Telegraph describes clipped balls, cones and pyramids as "timeless classics of the horticultural world".

One of the most effective ways of retaining living form and structure in a garden over the winter is to include some topiary and clipped hedging.

A tiered triple crown can be achieved by clipping at the step of any size plant at regular intervals.

Those who would prefer not to do it themselves can simply go to a place such as the Romantic Garden Nursery near Norwich as they stock both box (Buxus) and yew (Taxus) triple crowns.

Box and yew are ideal for topiary as they are bushy, dense, dark growth which can be formed into shapes easily and they will last all year.

According to the paper, beech hedges are perfect for any winter garden because they will retain their dried coppery leaves until fresh ones push through in spring.

The Royal Horticultural Society reports that a properly trimmed, well laid hedge could last as long as 50 years or more before it start to thin at its base.

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