the history of topiary

The exact origin of Topiary, (the art of growing and pruning trees and bushes into specific shapes), is still a mystery but looking back into history for references to this art we find that it came into existence some time between 38 BC and 14 AD in the early days of the Roman Empire and is said to be the discovery of Gnaius Mattius, a friend of the Emperor Augustus.
There is pictorial and archeological evidence that Topiary was practiced in Ancient Egypt and in Pompeii,Italy also.
In Rome Topia, the Roman word for Topiary, was practiced mainly by slaves who were assigned to tend the Roman gardens. The slaves in charge of trimming and pruning the bushes were called "topiarius".
It is believed that the art of Topiary in the Roman gardens was influenced by the cultures, societies and countries from where the slaves originated as well as from trade practices with other countries. Further evidence of this is the number of plants, trees and shrubs species, not natural to the region which were found in the Ancient Roman gardens.
Exploration, conquest and trade spread the idea of Topiary Gardens from Ancient Rome to other countries where the art was adopted and changed to meet new climates, styles and ages. The Renaissance in Italy was known for its beautiful Topiary gardens. Many beautiful, and very old, Topiary gardens can be found in Italy, France, England, The United States and throughout Europe.

Topiary in Ancient Egypt

A papyrus, from 1340-1300BC, showing a symmetrical arrangement of palms and conical trees.

Picture and information from:
TOPIARY, THE ART OF CLIPPING TREES AND ORNAMENTAL HEDGES,
A. M. Clevely (1988)

Topiary Pompeii

House of the Vettii Resoration
Pompeii, Italy

In the restored garden of the House of the Vettii in Pompeii, Clipped box bushes have been replaced exactly where the roots of the original plants remained after the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79.
Picture and information from:
TOPIARY, THE ART OF CLIPPING TREES AND ORNAMENTAL HEDGES,
A. M. Clevely (1988)

   Renaissance Style Topiary Garden

The bold design of the Renaissance Topiary garden at Castello Balduino depends entirely for its effect on simply carved blocks or yew.

Picture and information from:
TOPIARY, THE ART OF CLIPPING TREES AND ORNAMENTAL HEDGES,
A. M. Clevely (1988)

 Topiary in England

English Topiary Garden

The 'Mon Plaisir' garden in the grounds of Elvaston Castle in Derbyshire, designed between 1830 and 1850, made extravagant use of Topiary. (Picture from E. A. Brooke's The Gardens of England.)

Picture and information from:
TOPIARY, THE ART OF CLIPPING TREES AND ORNAMENTAL HEDGES,
A. M. Clevely (1988)

Topiary in France