TOPIARY AWARDS’ Runners Up
By Elizabeth Hilliard, Editor of TOPIARIUS
The winners of the inaugural Henchman Topiary Awards were announced on 6th July 2024 along with several runners up – see other article for more. Each runner up received a letter of congratulation from TOPIARIUS Editor Elizabeth Hilliard along with a copy of the current issue of the exclusive EBTS membership magazine.
Henchman issued the following description of these entries and of their own Henchman prize.
Professional Gardener Category
In second place in the Henchman Topiary Awards 2024 is Suffolk-based Chris Reeve, whose topiary creation brings a touch of magical enchantment to any garden. The design features a carefully crafted frog that seems ready to leap into life. Its intricate details include rounded eyes, a pronounced mouth and gracefully arched limbs, showcasing exceptional skill, creativity and a keen eye for detail.
Recognised for his charming and lifelike depiction of two dogs, the Highly Commended award goes to Simon Newman from Worcestershire. These intricately sculpted canine figures demonstrate a high level of topiary artistry and creativity, and provide the perfect welcome to this dog-lover’s home.
The work of Chris Reeves, runner up in the Professional Gardener category
Home Gardener Category
In second place is Petra Hoyer-Millar from Oxfordshire, whose design features a series of perfectly clipped hedges crafted into large, rounded shapes that flow sinuously to create a cloud-like effect, guiding the eye along their length with artistic precision and skill.
The work of Petra Hoyer-Millar, runner up in the Home Gardener category
Hugh Johnson from Somerset receives Highly Commended recognition for his display of intricate sculptured shapes. The garden includes a variety of traditional topiary designs, such as spiral and cone shapes, punctuated with vibrant purple flowers to add a splash of colour.
Henchman Choice Award
The Henchman Choice Award, voted for by the Henchman team, goes to Bedfordshire-based Keith Miles for his impressive life-size tractor sculpture crafted from densely trimmed shrubs. The lush greenery creates a striking three-dimensional form complete with the figure of a person sitting proudly behind the steering wheel, resulting in an unmistakable depiction of the agricultural machine.
Prizegiving
The winners were announced at this year’s RHS Hampton Court Flower Festival, where they received a trophy, a bundle of Henchman products, an annual membership to the European Boxwood and Topiary Society and a day trip for two to one of the EBTS UK’s day-long garden trips.
Owen Simpson, Managing Director at Henchman, with winners Harrie Carnochan and David Hawson and TOPIARIUS Editor Elizabeth Hilliard