Shape up your shrubs: Top tips from the Henchman Topiary Awards judges

Topiary has been shaping the charm of gardens for centuries – adding structure, character and a sense of artistry to outdoor spaces. Once seen only in grand estates, this living art form is now cropping up everywhere, from cottage gardens to city balconies. 

With just a few tools and a bit of patience, anyone can start transforming their greenery into eye-catching shapes. But while the results can be magical, knowing where to begin can feel like the trickiest part. 

To celebrate the return of the Henchman Topiary Awards, this year’s panel of expert judges have shared their essential tips for mastering the craft – whether a seasoned topiarist or a gardener picking up the shears for the first time. 

Let your hedges guide you 

Petra Hoyer Millar, Editor of The Dirt News 

“For keen organic pruning topiarists, when shaping, take your cue from the plant,” says Petra. “This may sound bizarre, but let your hedge ‘show you’ where it really wants to grow and where it doesn’t. The bold growth is where you can create fancy shapes, and where slower, you clip less ambitiously.” 

Petra also reminds gardeners not to neglect the basics: “Look after your topiary hedge the same way you do your herbaceous borders. Compost, feed and mulch regularly – hedges thrive on a little TLC.” 

Plant health is paramount 

Michael Buck, Head of Horticulture at Creepers Nursery 

“To get the best out of your topiary, it’s essential to keep your plants healthy,” says Michael. “A plant is only as strong as its root system. Feed regularly – seaweed every fortnight works wonders and avoid overwatering.” 

He also stresses the importance of starting with a clean slate: “Always begin by cutting away dead branches and leaves. And make sure your tools are sharp and sterile to maintain overall health and prevent disease – Jeyes fluid in a spray gun is my go-to for disinfecting between plants.” 

Pruning made simple 

Patrick Salembier, President of EBTS France 

Patrick suggests starting your pruning early in the growing season and continuing through the summer. "For evergreens, aim to prune two or three times a year to keep the shape in check." 

To create a cone shape, Patrick recommends trimming the top branches a little more than the bottom. "Start by cutting the ends of the branches about 10cm at the top and 5cm at the bottom. This helps the bottom stay fuller and the top shape up." 

As the tree grows, Patrick emphasises the importance of keeping the shape neat with regular trims. "Aim for trims every three months – March, June and September. It’s a simple way to ensure your topiary stays tidy and well-shaped." 

To make trimming easier, he also shares a helpful tip. "Use a string tied to the middle of your ladder attached to a weight on the ground. This simple setup helps guide you to maintain a rounded shape every time." 

Start simple and remember to step back 

Andy Bourke, Professional Topiarist and Online Influencer  

“When choosing your shape, start simple,” says Andy. “Geometric forms like balls, cubes and pyramids are ideal for beginners.” 

He adds: “Before you cut, stand back and visualise the shape. And keep stepping back throughout to check your progress from different angles.” 

For maintenance, his advice is simple: “Don’t leave it too long between trims – it's much easier to keep the shape with regular upkeep. Little and often is the secret.” 

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About the Henchman Topiary Awards 

Launched last year in celebration of Henchman’s 30th anniversary, the Topiary Awards are back for 2025, expanding to include entries from across Europe. 

Following the success of the inaugural competition in 2024, the awards will continue to celebrate the artistry, skill and passion behind garden sculpture. The competition features two categories – Best Professional Topiary and Best Home Garden Creation, with separate winners for the UK and Europe. 

Winners will be announced at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival on 5th July 2025, where they will receive a Henchman ladder of their choice to continue their topiary journey. 

The judging panel includes Andy Bourke, Michael Buck, Petra Hoyer Millar and Patrick Salembier. 

Entries open on 20th March and close on 31st May 2025. To enter, submit photographs and a brief description via the official competition page: www.henchman.co.uk/pages/henchman-topiary-awards. 

ENDS 

Notes to Editor 

The Judges 

Andy Bourke – The Hedge Barber – Professional Topiarist and Online Influencer 

Andy has worked in horticulture for over 10 years and is a professional hedge cutter and topiary artist. Using traditional hand cutting methods, Andy has worked on small intricate topiary designs as well as larger, organic shapes. Andy is better known online at The Hedge Barber – creating aesthetically pleasing videos of his topiary creations. 

Michael Buck – Head of Horticulture at Creepers Nursery  

Michael started in horticulture while trying to forge a career in football, 17 years ago, which saw him experience different sectors within the industry. For the past 10 years, Michael has spent his time working on many exciting nursery and garden projects across the UK and Europe, and has since become the Head of Horticulture at Creepers Nursery. 

Petra Hoyer Millar – Editor of The Dirt Horticulture News 

Petra is a gardener, horticultural journalist and editor of The Dirt News. A fan of all things topiary, she is the creator of a large cloud-pruned yew hedge and shapes, for which she was runner up in the 2024 Henchman Topiary Awards in the Home Gardener category. Retrained from her economic background, she has enough RHS horticultural diplomas to know how to propagate, plant and prune her way through anything green. 

Patrick Salembier – President of EBTS France  

Patrick is the president of European Boxwood and Topiary Society France (EBTS France) and the editor of Buis et Topiaires. Passionate about sharing his knowledge, he published The Boxwood Manual in 2017. Since 2012, Patrick has also been the designer of the gardens at Le Touquet-Paris-Plage, bringing expertise and creativity to one of France’s most renowned landscapes. 

Entry T&Cs 

The competition will run from 20 March 2025 to 31 May 2025. The competition is open to UK and European residents only. Entrants must be over 18 years old. Employees of Henchman and their relatives, as well as any other company linked to the awards, are not eligible to enter. By entering the competition, participants agree to abide by the terms and conditions outlined on Henchman's website. 

Ends

Editors notes

Henchman has been a pioneer of specialist garden ladders and safe hedge-cutting platforms since 1994, when it launched its first model at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Founded by father and son duo Mike and Tom Kitching, over the past three decades the company has evolved from a small family business to the leading garden ladder brand in the UK.

Based in Wiltshire, the dedicated design team at Henchman offers a wide range of unique products created to keep customers safe on uneven terrain while working at height.

Its collection includes the cutting-edge Fully Adjustable Tripod Ladder, Fully Adjustable PRO Tripod Ladder, the Hi-Step Platform, the Wheeled Henchman, as well as a range of large capacity wheelbarrows and accessories, all designed to make gardening a safe, sturdy and enjoyable experience.

Henchman has pioneered the way in ladder safety and is the first and only fully EN131 certified Tripod Ladder on the market in the UK and the rest of the world.

From the National Trust, to the England Rugby team and Royal Households, and not forgetting thousands of gardeners, DIY-enthusiasts and professionals, Henchman helps its customers get the job done, safely.