Thanks for sharing inspiring gardens. I liked the Gingko being grown in a shape and size best suited to most gardens. At our old house we had a neighbor with such a tree we enjoyed for years until the owner died and the new owner cut it down. The Mahonia is beautiful, we have one here we enjoy but do not have it sited near as well. The topiary is a vulgar distraction to the garden and should be removed. If let go and allowed to fill back in they would still overwhelm the space. Al

That is absolutely adorable! I love the pictures you post. Such great inspiration. I would be way intimidated to try to keep those topiarys trimmed just right, but they are so fun, especially when combined with the colors on the house.

Here is a link that might be useful: loribees garden blog

Thanks for the pics! Love the gardens in that area. Amazing results in small spaces.

Al, not a fan of topiaried Italian Cypress, huh? I can appreciate the whimsy in someone else's garden, but wouldn't want to have to keep up with this sort of pruning myself. I disagree that they overwhelm the garden, I think the scale is brilliant, and they are a great counterpoint to the adjacent Parkinsonia aculeata when it comes into bloom in May/June. I do like these Cupressus sempervirens used this way, rather than lined up along a fence like at a funeral parlor...

Not many gardens in this town as charming as that, but we have more than our share of Italian Cypress lined up. I call them "Fort Cupressus"

Seen around town:
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David, just LOVE those, wow, Disneyland in your front yard, yea! I have several topiaried Cypress in my yard. In fact, lots and LOTS of Cypress as the previous owners were going for a Tuscan theme. I have 4 that are trimmed in a spiral, but not quite as imposing as these, 2 at the front in balls and a point, and two in the back trimmed to two small balls. They grow so slowly you only need to trim them on occasion. In fact, I just bought some hand trimmers that have a scissor mechanism, so hoping these are easier to use. The only issue is when they grow too tall to do by standing. Not a fan of getting on a ladder, or a scaffold like Pearl does, lol!! And hoov, you crack me up - yes - we have several rather imposing rows of ginormous Cypress in our area, too.

Patty S.