Holly, Yew and Box 



lawn adorned with figures of animals cut out in 

 Box trees, answering alternately to one another. 

 This lawn was again surrounded by a walk en- 

 closed with evergreen shrubs, sheared into a 

 variety of forms. Beyond this was a place of 

 exercise, of a circular form, ornamented in the 

 middle with Box trees, sheared, as before, into 

 numerous different figures ; and the whole fenced 

 in by a sloping bank covered with Box rising in 

 steps to the top." In another part of the grounds 

 attached to the villa the Box is mentioned as 

 being cut into a variety of shapes and letters, 

 some expressing the name of the master, and 

 others that of the artificer, etc. 



With reference to a Topiary Garden, London 

 quotes the following lines by G. West: 



" There likewise mote be seen on every side 

 The shapely Box, of all its branching pride 

 Ungently shorn, and with preposterous skill, 

 To various beasts, and birds of sundry quill 

 Transform'd, and human shapes of monstrous size. 



Also other wonders of the sportive shears, 

 Fair Nature misadorning, there are found ; 

 Globes, spiral columns, pyramids and piers 

 With spouting urns and budding statues crown'd ; 

 And horizontal dials on the ground, 

 In living Box, by cunning artists traced ; 

 And galleys trim, on no long voyage bound, 

 But by their roots there ever anchor'd fast." 



The upright growing sorts are sometimes used 



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