From May 9 to 12, 2025, nearly 150 gardens across Europe and beyond will take part in the Fourth Edition of World Topiary Days, a growing international celebration dedicated to the timeless art of topiary. Organized by EBTS France and Levens Hall in the United Kingdom, the event invites visitors to rediscover this centuries-old practice of sculpting trees and shrubs into fantastical, geometric, or symbolic forms.

Across France, the UK, Germany, Portugal, and other countries, public and private gardens will open their gates for a weekend of engaging activities. Visitors can enjoy guided tours, pruning demonstrations, historical lectures, botanical advice, exhibitions, and hands-on workshops suitable for all ages.

Topiary, from the Latin topiarius, has its roots in Roman antiquity. Pliny the Elder described early forms of this garden art in the 1st century AD, where clipped cypresses both protected and decorated gardens. The tradition endured through monastic gardens of the Middle Ages and flourished again during the Renaissance, particularly in Italy, where inspiration was drawn from classical texts like Poliphile’s Dream. France soon followed, giving rise to the formal “Jardin à la française,” where topiary symbolized man’s control over nature and the aesthetics of order.

Among the participating sites, Levens Hall in England holds pride of place as the world’s oldest and most enchanting topiary garden, boasting over 100 intricately pruned forms. Designed in 1694 by Guillaume Beaumont—trained under André Le Nôtre at Versailles—Levens Hall blends classical rigor with whimsical flair. In France, the Jardin des Ifs in Gerberoy stands as a rare Renaissance topiary garden, home to monumental yew sculptures including the iconic “Yew Igloo,” a national botanical treasure.

World Topiary Days is more than a tribute to horticultural skill—it’s a celebration of imagination, tradition, and cultural heritage. The event encourages dialogue between gardeners, historians, artists, and the public, and fosters a renewed appreciation for this green art form that blends craftsmanship and creativity.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or simply curious, World Topiary Days 2025 offers a rare chance to explore some of Europe’s most beautiful gardens, where history and nature meet in living sculpture.

For more details on participating gardens and local events, visit the European Boxwood and Topiary Society (EBTS) and affiliated sites.