Lavenham Church
15th June 2009
The church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Lavenham, suffolk attracted my attention for the unusual use of topiary in it's grounds. I found the grounds striking and beautiful but almost contrasting to the very traditional and ancient building they surround. The endless rounded spherical hedges create the impression of another level, a highly textured raised surface which you must navigate through almost like a maze to reach the church. Topiary is something that I have always thought of as dated and a bit 'twee', but having come across it recently at Lavenham, my opinions have changed. I like it!
"Topiary is the art of creating sculptures in the meduim of clipped trees, shrubs and sub-shrubs. Common plants used in topairy include; Box (Buxus Sempervirens), Bay Laurel (laurus Nobilis), holly (Ilex spp.), Myrtle (Eugenia or Myrtus species), Yew (Taxus species), and Privet (Lingustrum species)."
Topairy and Ornamental Hedges (London) 1971
