Boxwood in Roman times by Mark V Braimbridge
Boxwood has been known since Classical times and frequently appears in Roman literature. Loudon (1783 – 1843) was a landscape artist and encyclopaedist, writing an ‘Encyclopaedia of Gardening‘ and starting a vogue for ‘Gardenesque’, a style of garden design that had been out of fashion for a century.
Boxwood in Biblical times by Mark V Braimbridge
For many boxwood authors and enthusiasts it is pleasing that their favourite wood had a role as precious timber in biblical times. The four references to boxwood usually quoted are Isaiah chapters 30, 41 and 60 and Ezekiel 27.
Hunworth Hall featured in ‘Country Life’
Henry and Charlotte Crawley’s splendid garden at Hunworth Hall, which was visited by EBTS as part of its 2010 AGM in North Norfolk, is featured in the ‘Country Life’ double Christmas and New Year edition 2013.
The Waddesdon Bequest at the British Museum Part 1 by Mark V Braimbridge
The banking Rothschild brothers built mansions for themselves in the Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire countryside of 19th century England. Baron Ferdinand Anselm de Rothschild (fig 1) was brought up in Vienna
The Waddesdon Bequest at the British Museum Part 2 by Mark V Braimbridge
Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild had an ambition to possess, at Waddesdon Manor, his Buckinghamshire estate, a cabinet of works of art of the highest quality and gradually to eliminate all that was in any respect of the second class. The meticulously carved miniature boxwood artefacts in the Waddesdon Bequest, bequeathed to the British Museum on his death in 1898, are one result of that ambition.
Norfolk Gardens and Designed Landscapes
EBTS Member Roger Last released the fruits of many years labour on 4th November with the Countess of Leicester unveiling “Norfolk Gardens & Designed Landscapes” at its launch which was attended by around 200 people. The book was produced by the Norfolk Gardens Trust and was co-written by Patsy Dallas, Tom Williamson & Roger Last.
The edge before box By David Jacques
The restoration of the Earl of Leicester’s garden at Kenilworth Castle gave the team assembled by English Heritage an opportunity to examine our knowledge of what an Elizabethan garden consisted of, and how it actually looked. There have been several Tudor re-creations, perhaps the best being that at Shakespeare’s house in Stratford-on-Avon, masterminded by Ernest […]
Bibliography of Boxwood & Topiary
Originally compiled by Mark Braimbridge (last addition made February 2014) Please note that the following list is of possible reading material. This does not imply endorsement by the EBTS. International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN) and International Standard Serial Numbers (ISSN) are given where known. Adams, Katharina (2004) Buchs Kosmos Garten: Stuttgart ISBN 3440097978 Baker, Margaret […]
Chilterns Boxwood project guided walk
Saturday 28th September and Bruce Ginsberg went along to represent EBTS UK on an excellent walk through the Chilterns organised by Sarah Wright of Chilterns Boxwood project. Covering three valleys and going between narrow ravines, the chalk downs are covered in ancient boxwood.
Tennis Balls?
Anyone who attended Art in Action 2011 could not fail to be inspired by the wealth of creativity exhibited at the event. I was privileged to be in the Sculpture section representing the EBTS and duties involved attending lectures and demonstrations given by two of our professional members, Jake Hobson of Niwaki and James Crebbin-Bailey of Topiary Arts.
2013 EBTS North Wales Weekend
Having assembled and had lunch at the Grosvenor Garden Centre, the 45 strong group was introduced to Les Armstrong the former Head Gardener of Eaton Hall and we drove in convoy through the extensive grounds of the estate to Eaton Hall.
2013 Glorious Gloucestershire
EBTS visited three outstanding private gardens, Daglingworth House (Covertside), Perrot’s Brook (Cirencester) and The Coach House (Ampney Crucis). This visit was organised by Andrew Tolman, an EBTS member with extensive local knowledge.
Diseases and pests
Buxus is prone to a certain number of diseases and pests. These diseases can be virulent and every effort should be made to use disease free box in the creation of new gardens and topiary.
2013 Hampshire gardens visit by Chris Poole
Longstock Park Water Gardens First stop of the day was Longstock Park Water Gardens, where Head Gardner Rob Ballard gave us some of history of how they were formed. In 1946 John Speden Lewis bought the water gardens and developed them three times their original size adding bridges and promontories. It took 6 years to […]
How does hot weather affect Boxwood?
The effect of prolonged hot weather on Boxwood as recorded by Marc Velleman April 2011 was exceptionally warm with temperatures between 20° and 28°C for at least three weeks. This had a great effect, not only on ourselves, but also on the boxwood plants. In my boxwood collection, which consists of more then 200 varieties, […]
EBTS on The One Show
Following a request from the BBC One TV show to EBTS for front gardens that feature topiary our chairman Mark and wife Mary’s garden was chosen as one to film. The item was transmitted on the 1st July.
Silver Gilt @ Chelsea 2013
In celebration of 100 years of topiary being exhibited at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2013, Topiary Arts re-create a 1913 display by the appropriately named Herbert Cutbush, as taken from the 1913 Chelsea Flower Show souvenir brochure, using as many of the original materials and techniques that are available today.
2013 Surrey gardens visit by Chris Poole
The weather had been awful leading up to the first visit of 2013, spring had been having difficulty breaking through the snow, ice and northerly winds, but finally it had arrived and buds were beginning to appear. The grade II listed Chilworth Manor was our first garden of the day where owner Mia & Graham Wrigley […]
Lynn Batdorf Retires
As the Official Registrar for Buxus Cultivars from his base at the U.S National Arboretum, Washington, DC, Lynn Batdorf steadily worked through the increasing numbers of old and new Buxus cultivars which required botanical clarification and descriptive citation before official Registration. These were mostly sent in by boxwood enthusiasts and eagle-eyed nurserymen looking for a new ‘break’ or form. Confused identification of […]
General information about Boxwood
Boxwood has been called the ‘Plant of many surprises’. It is a very plain, quiet shrub with an elusive fragrance and comforting familiarity. It is unsurpassed in its ability to be smoothly topiarised into firm shapes, neat hedges or baroque flourishes, so says one of our most respected EBTS authors. Buxus sempervirens , the common […]
Wisley Open Day
The RHS are keen to forge closer relations with the various plant societies around the country. To this end they held a Plant Society Open Day in all four of their gardens Wisley, Rosemoor, Hyde Hall and Harlow Carron on Friday October 5th.
2012 Art In Action by Chris Poole
For the second year EBTS UK were at the creative event of the year and this time with their own marquee in the Scultpure area.
2012 The Sussex Gardens Visit by Chris Poole
We began the day with more than a little tripidation given the weather to date but as it turned out we were lucky and from the start at Grove Farm House we had a dry and even sunny day. After a warming coffee and biscuits, Tom Archer, Head Gardner
Edwardian Country Life reviewed by Annette Balfour-Lynn
The Story of H Avray Tipping by Helena Gerrish Frances Lincoln – ISBN 978-0-7112-3223-5 Topiarius Volume 16 p54 Henry Avray Tipping was at the forefront of the vanguard elite of country life at its most beguiling. He was the unsung hero of the early C2Oth garden and country house movement, eclipsed by his better known […]