Topiary, Shaped hedges & Clipfest 24
It’s good to see topiary and shaped hedges making the news.
The weekend of 5 May see the first Clipfest an exclusive event in the scenic Ichi-Coo Park in Surrey, encouraging creativity to blossom and friendships to flourish. The organisers say that more than just a celebration of Cliptography™, ClipFest’24 is a platform for encouraging talent, young and old, in this rewarding and creative horticultural art. What is Cliptography? Well, as someone once said, Cliptography is to Topiary as Banksy is to Rembrandt! Whether you are honing your craft, expanding your repertoire, showing off your talents, simply meeting others or seeking inspiration, ClipFest‘24 is the place to be.
Join EBTS UK’s Phil Seabrook, of TipTop Topiary, at the event by getting your free ticket from EventBrite via the button below.

The Guardian - Wednesday 24 April
Shaped hedges were featured in an article by Oliver Wainwright in The Guardian that was on the hunt for the world’s wildest, daftest and most beautiful hedges and whilst I’m sure we have all seen better examples, it is great to see interest being shown in the skill needed to create them.
Don’t forget there is still time to enter your best topiary in the Henchman Topiary Awards which aim to ‘Celebrate the art of topiary and recognise those who demonstrate exceptional skill, creativity, and passion in shaping and maintaining incredible living sculptures. Individuals of all backgrounds and skill levels are encouraged to enter their favourite pieces of work.’
It’s easy to enter and we urge all EBTS gardeners to show what they can do. Let’s see a healthy contingent of EBTS submissions! Send photographs of a piece of topiary you’ve created, along with a written description, before the closing date, 31 May 2024. This year the competition is open to residents of the UK only, but we hope that in future years submissions might be welcomed from all countries where Henchman sell their products…
