English Yew or Taxus baccata has long been used in the practice of topiary or clipping of shrubs to a specific architectural shape. The close-knit foliage when trimmed by the expert hand can give the finishing element of luxury to a straightforward hedge or garden design. Dating back to Roman times and perhaps earlier, the word topiary is derived from the Greek topiarius or creator of topia or places, the art went out of fashion only to be revived in the 17th and 18th centuries for some of the dramatic designs to be found in the gardens of country houses and estates.
Requiring a steady hand and a sharp pair of shears, the English Yew Topiary Dome shapes also need a good eye for symmetry as they require trimming each year to sharpen and maintain the outline of the plant from the fronds of new growth. The curved profile of the Dome makes an even hand particularly important, as the shape needs to remain balanced from every angle. Where several Dome Shapes are included in the planting, extra care needs to be taken to keep them all at the same diameter and height, although combining different sizes can also create an attractive and more contemporary effect.
English Yew Topiary Domes do have the advantage that as a slow growing plant at between 15-30cm per year, trimming is not so much of a problem as perhaps with other plants and it is one of the most elegant subjects for shaping as it can give such a smooth appearance to the finished Dome Shape. The dense foliage of the Yew responds particularly well to clipping, allowing the rounded outline to be maintained and refined over time. Trimming would normally be done in autumn, removing the softer new growth and keeping the established shape neat and well defined.
For those who wish to take the easy option, rather like a pre-tied bow tie, it is possible to buy a frame through which to grow the English Yew and trim to the frame, thus getting the shape and dimensions correct. This can be particularly useful where several matching Dome Shapes are required, helping to maintain consistency and symmetry throughout the planting scheme.
Grown in containers or planted directly into the garden, English Yew requires reasonable soil with good drainage as it is not happy sitting in wet soil for any length of time. Its evergreen foliage provides reliable colour and structure throughout the year, making the English Yew particularly valuable in formal gardens where the framework of the planting remains important during the winter months.
English Yew Topiary Dome Shapes can be used in a variety of ways within the garden. Placed either side of an entrance or doorway they can provide a balanced and welcoming feature, whilst planted along a pathway or border they can introduce repetition and rhythm to a formal design. Their softer rounded outline also works well amongst more angular architectural planting, helping to soften the overall appearance without losing the sense of order.
Container grown English Yew Topiary Dome Shapes are supplied throughout the year giving the option of planting when required and of course they can initially be placed in the pot in situ to make sure the garden design works. If not then it is easy to move them around before planting, making them particularly useful when establishing a new formal garden or adding structure to an existing planting scheme.
Whether used individually as a focal point or repeated throughout a formal planting scheme, English Yew Topiary Dome Shapes combine the timeless qualities of Taxus baccata with the softer, flowing form of the dome, providing an elegant evergreen feature that can bring structure, symmetry and year round interest to the garden.
