🌿 World Topiary Day 2025: Celebrating the Living Art of Garden Sculpture

World Topiary Day 2025 will be celebrated on Sunday, 11 May, with garden lovers across the globe gathering to honour the ancient horticultural art of shaping plants into stunning sculptures. Whether you’re an avid gardener or a newcomer to the green-fingered world, this special day is your chance to immerse yourself in the whimsical, elegant, and sometimes eccentric world of topiary.

From the iconic yew trees of Levens Hall in Cumbria—home to the world’s oldest topiary garden—to creative shrub masterpieces in France and beyond, World Topiary Day 2025 is set to be the biggest yet.

🌱 What Is World Topiary Day?

World Topiary Day was founded in 2021 by Levens Hall and Gardens, a historic estate in the Lake District. The day was created to raise awareness of topiary as a living art form and celebrate its cultural significance throughout history. Since its launch, the event has grown into an international celebration, uniting garden enthusiasts, artists, and historians across six continents.

In 2025, the fourth annual World Topiary Day promises an even bigger lineup of events, workshops, and garden tours.

📍 Key Events in the UK – Levens Hall Leads the Way

The heart of the celebration remains at Levens Hall, which boasts 300-year-old topiary creations that continue to inspire gardeners today.

Highlights at Levens Hall on Sunday, 11 May:

• 🪴 Guided talks with Head Gardener Chris Crowder (11am & 2pm)

• 🎶 Live music by Sedbergh Town Band (1pm)

• 🎨 Children’s art and topiary workshops hosted by Sedbergh School

• ☕ Garden café and shop with topiary-themed merchandise

Visit www.levenshall.co.uk for tickets and full schedule.

🌍 A Global Garden Celebration

This year, over 150 gardens worldwide will participate between 9–12 May, including:

• 🇫🇷 Jardins de la Ferme Bleue, Alsace – with themed tours and family activities

• 🇺🇸 Ladew Topiary Gardens, Maryland – famous for its topiary fox hunt

• 🇳🇱 Gardens in the Netherlands, Italy, and beyond – all showcasing sculpted hedges and intricate forms

These gardens are transforming into living galleries that highlight the beauty and biodiversity of carefully cultivated green spaces.

✂️ What Is Topiary?

Topiary is the art of clipping and shaping perennial plants—often boxwood, yew, or privet—into decorative shapes, from spirals and balls to animals and architectural forms. Its roots trace back to ancient Rome, but it flourished during the Tudor and Baroque periods and remains a cherished tradition in British and European gardens.

👩‍🌾 How to Get Involved in World Topiary Day 2025

You don’t need a stately home to celebrate. Here are simple ways to join in:

1. 🌳 Visit a Topiary Garden

Explore local or national gardens known for their topiary displays. Many offer discounted entry, free talks, and family-friendly activities on 11 May.

UK suggestions:

• Levens Hall, Cumbria

• Powis Castle, Wales

• Hampton Court Palace, Surrey

2. ✂️ Try DIY Topiary at Home

Start small with potted boxwoods or privets. Many garden centres offer starter topiary kits, and free tutorials are available online.

3. 📸 Share on Social Media

Use the hashtag #WorldTopiaryDay on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook to show off your creations or garden visits. Join a global conversation celebrating creativity and green living.

4. 📚 Educate and Inspire

Organise a talk at a local school, write a blog post, or create an online video about the history and techniques of topiary. This helps keep the tradition alive and evolving.

🧠 Fun Facts About Topiary

• The word “topiary” comes from the Latin topiarius, meaning landscape gardener.

• Levens Hall’s oldest topiary creations date back to 1694—and are still growing strong!

• Some topiary artists spend decades refining a single piece into its perfect form.

• Topiary features in popular culture, from Edward Scissorhands to Alice in Wonderland.

📅 Save the Date: 11 May 2025

Whether you’re marvelling at centuries-old green sculptures or trimming a new creation in your back garden, World Topiary Day 2025 is a chance to connect with nature, history, and community. As gardens continue to play a vital role in wellness, climate resilience, and artistic expression, topiary remains a timeless and joyful way to cultivate beauty.

For updates, visit www.levenshall.co.uk or follow #WorldTopiaryDay across social platforms.