While topiary itself dates back to Ancient Greece and Rome, it wasn’t until the Renaissance period that elaborate topiary gardens became associated with wealth and social status. Probably one of the most well known is the one at the Palace of Versailles, renowned for its pots of sculptured yew as well as the avenues of manicured trees.
While most hedging plants (box) being the shining star. There are four main varieties of gardeners use in Australia (Japanese, English, Korean and Dutch); Japanese is probably the most popular variety. Each have a similar effect, but slightly different growth habits. For instance, English box grows more upright and is great for a long expanse of hedge, while Korean box is naturally low-growing. We have all varieties here at Rosedale, but the harsh winter frosts really knock our Japanese topiary balls around, so we tend to plant more of the English variety as it’s tough as nails.
