The podocarpus is a small, lovely tree native to Japan. The Japanese islands are about the same latitude as North Florida. As a result, even in Central Florida we can grow quite a number of trees a… ...

As topiary goes, it's cutting hedge. At Nicky Fraser's house in north Shropshire, a bush says "chaos"; around the side, a conifer is inscribed with the word "graffiti".

When Max and Tracy Knudsen bought their home in Essex, they drew up an extravagant plan to transform the surrounding plot into an elegant garden showcasing neatly clipped topiary.

And try a collection of potted topiary plants on a modern patio. How to grow your own topiary You don’t have to pay a small fortune for a potted peacock, spiral conifer or box ball.