Why not treat your garden to a makeover, encouraged by the superb gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show?
For an immediate landscaped look with minimal effort, topiaried hedges are a quick way to significantly change your garden.
Jim Kirkwood, garden tools expert from Worx Power Tools, offers advice on how to introduce some of the newest topiary trends from Chelsea into your garden:
Pyramid Pruning:
Pyramid pruning gives texture to borders, as seen in Diarmuid Gavin’s Irish Sky garden; the sharp structured hedges contrast with the soft edges of meadow-planted shrubs.
To achieve this look at home, you will require:
- Hedge trimmer.
- Cordless handheld shears.
- Topiary wire mesh (optional).
“Begin trimming your hedge, starting at the base and working upwards, angling the trimmer to the desired gradient for your pyramid. You can either cut by eye or use a topiary wire mesh to guide you, taking a few steps back from time-to-time to ensure an even cut.
Once you’ve achieved a triangular outline you are happy with, use a pair of hand shears, such as the Worx Shrub/Shear (RRP £49.98, diy.com), to go over the hedge to define the shape. Look out for compact models with lithium-ion technology – this makes the tools super-lightweight so your arms won’t tire.
Box-Shearing:
For a formal effect, try box-shearing small leafy trees to create a neat and structured look, as seen in The B&Q Vertical Garden.
Tools for the job:
- Cordless hedge trimmer.
- Step ladder.
- Topiary wooden frame (optional).
“Begin by shaping the bottom of the tree with a cordless hedge trimmer, starting at the base of the trunk and cutting outward. Use a cordless model, like the trimmer in our picture,from Worx (RRP £94.98, B&Q), giving you more flexibility of movement and meaning there’s no danger of tripping on electric leads. Once you have an even box shape at the bottom, start clipping the sides and top. You could do this by eye or by using a wooden topiary frame as a template, to ensure the cube is cut uniformly.”
For further information about the Worx ranges of power tools, please visit the website.