Traditionally Topiary Balls are grown from Box plants (Buxus Sempervirens) which gives them a neat and formal appearance. However, this particular plant is English Yew (Taxus baccata) which gives a dense yet softer appearance with its fine conifer-like needle fronds. With bright green spring growth changing to deep green as it grows, its overall appearance is quite different to Box and it looks fantastic in both borders or pots. Yew's soft yet dense habit also means that once it grows, it is also easier to clip into shapes with neat, smooth outlines as often seen in the larger and more complex topiary shapes found in formal gardens.nnThese Topiary Balls look stunning planted into containers, standing proudly at an entrance or doorway, planted en masse or even combined with softer plants, such as grasses and perennials, to add a contrast in texture.nnVisit our
Yew - English for further information on this species.nn
Maintaining and Caring for your Topiary
To keep a good shape and tight growth, topiary needs all-round and all-over light so it is incompatible with shade, although potted specimens can be rotated. Clipping should be done when the opportunity, inspiration, enthusiasm and weather all combine to make it possible - in late summer, so that there is the longest period of time (until May or June the following year) to enjoy the tightly clipped shapes. Some enthusiasts clip in early summer too but never clip too early in the year - you must make sure there is no possibility of night frosts. Always use very sharp tools and we recommend that plants are watered first before clipping which helps the cut leaves to heal quickly.nnAll our topiary is hardy and suitable to withstand all that our weather can throw at us but given the expense of each piece, it is our recommendation that you take particular care to protect topiary - just simple precautions like gently brushing snow off, using pointed rather than flat topped shapes where long periods of snow are normal, providing ventilated shelter from severe winds and ensuring that specimens are well watered in summer and sheltered from very strong sunshine which can burn as much as winter winds
