Founded 1996 · European Boxwood & Topiary Society · UK
The clipped green art, kept alive by the hands that shape it.
EBTS encourages the appreciation, cultivation and knowledge of boxwood and topiary through garden visits, conferences, publications, scientific research and European co-operation.
About the Society
A heritage society for a living, breathing art form.
From the parterres of the great English gardens to the humblest clipped box beside a cottage door, EBTS UK exists to celebrate, teach and defend the craft of topiary. Our members share knowledge, host gardens, and produce the annual journalTopiarius.
Members
Join the Society
Receive Topiarius, enjoy member pricing at every event, and support the craft.
Explore
Learning
A rich resource hub
Craft skills, design, history, tools, a growing archive gathered by members.
Explore
Shop
Books, tickets & tokens
Copies of Topiarius, event tickets and small merchandise supporting the Society.
ExploreUpcoming
Events & Visits
4 September 2026
Topiary Skills Workshop (Morning)
Waltham Place, Church Hill, White Waltham, Berkshire SL6 3JH
A morning of hands-on topiary tuition in the celebrated organic gardens at Waltham Place. Booked through the Waltham Place website.
4 September 2026
Topiary Skills Workshop (Afternoon)
Waltham Place, Church Hill, White Waltham, Berkshire SL6 3JH
An afternoon session of the same hands-on tuition at Waltham Place. Booked through the Waltham Place website.
17 September 2026
EBTS UK Visits Belgium
Belgium (multi-day tour)
A four-day EBTS UK members' tour of exceptional Belgian gardens. This trip is fully booked. Register your interest for the 2027 tour.
From the Society
Latest News
11 July 2026
Box Moth Tracker gets a new look
Since 2015, EBTS UK has collected user-generated Box Tree Moth sightings. The platform now uses that historical data for better area-level predictions.
15 April 2026
Professionals day of clipping at Ichi-Coo Park
Fourteen professional clippers gathered on 11 April on the Surrey and Sussex border for a day of practice and exchange.
1 April 2026
Modern Topiary — a new book by EBTS member Darren Lerigo
Council member Darren Lerigo publishes a considered new manifesto for contemporary topiary practice.
The Learning Hub
Nine paths into the craft
Our Learning archive is written by members, for members, and refined over many seasons in the garden.
Craft Skills
Cultivation and hand-skills for box, yew and holly, from the Anglo-Saxon roots of the word 'craft' onwards.
Design
Structure, textural contrast, mirroring, view from above and freeform — the language of the formal garden.
History
From Egyptian hedge clipping in 4,000 BC to Le Nôtre, Capability Brown and the modern revival.
How To Do It
Practical member-written guides: seven rules for modern topiary, taking cuttings, thinning boxwood.
Image Library
A growing archive of member photographs, originally inspired by Mark Braimbridge's personal collection.
Learning to Clip with EBTS UK
Half-day and full-day Learn To Clip courses at Capel Manor, Yorkshire, Sweden and more.
Scientific
Research on box blight, Box Tree Moth, nematode trials and jointly-funded RHS studies.
Top Topiary Tips
Nine concise, tested tips from members: getting it centred, one hand at a time, string not wire.
Tools
Shears, secateurs, hedge trimmers, ladders and frames — with recommended reading.