Topiaries, and topiary gardening, is an art that has always fascinated me.  A masterful craft, topiary gardening requires creative vision, some engineering and most of all – the patience to watch your garden grow….  Here are some photos from a recent tour of French gardens, and other inspirations….

From the book L’Art des Topiaires,

by Rosenn Le Page & Hubert Puzenat

Some plants that work well for indoor topiaries -

Check with your nursery or florist….

- English Ivy

- Creeping Fig (Ficus Pumila)

- Myrtle (myrtus communis and myrtus appiculata)

- Herbs – Rosemary, Thyme, Sage

And for Topiary Standards…

- Roses, Geraniums, Fuschias, Oranges, Ficus Benjamina, Lauris Nobilis or Sweet Bay….

Other English topiary gardens open to the public are…

- Great Dixter

-Northam, Sussex

- Puddletown, Dorset

- Packwood House

- Lapworth, Warwickshire

For more information on the French gardens listed in this story:

Chateau d’Ainay-le-Vieil – http://chateau-ainaylevieil.fr/

Eryignac -http://www.eyrignac.co.uk/

Chateau de Marqueyssac – http://www.marqueyssac.com/

Chateau de Hautefort – http://www.chateau-hautefort.com/

Le Vieux Logis – http://www.vieux-logis.com/uk/index.php

September 1, 2011