Melksham-based ladder company launches international topiary competition

Melksham-based company Henchman is once again on the hunt for Britain’s best garden sculptors – and this year, the search is expanding into Europe.

After a successful debut in 2024, the garden ladder specialist, based at Snarlton Lane, is relaunching the Henchman Topiary Awards – a celebration of the age-old craft of sculpting living plants into breathtaking designs – now open to both UK and European entrants for the first time.

The competition invites topiary artists of all levels to take part. It features two categories: Best Professional Topiary, for seasoned topiarists and horticultural professionals, and Best Home Garden Creation, for passionate gardeners and enthusiasts who have mastered the craft in their own green spaces.

With separate winners crowned in both the UK and Europe for each category, entrants will have the opportunity to gain recognition for their craftsmanship and take home some fantastic prizes.

Judging the competition is a panel of renowned topiary experts, including returning judges Andy Bourke – a professional topiarist and social media influencer known as ‘The Hedge Barber’ – and Michael Buck, head of horticulture at Creepers Nursery.

Joining them this year are Petra Hoyer Millar, editor of The Dirt News and runner-up in last year’s Home Gardener category, and Patrick Salembier, president of EBTS France and organiser of World Topiary Day at Levens Hall.

The champions in each category will be awarded a Henchman ladder of their choice, ensuring they can continue sculpting their masterpieces with the best tools available. The competition will remain open until the end of May, with the winners announced at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival on Saturday 5th July.

Managing director at Henchman, Owen Simpson, said, “We’re incredibly proud to be growing this competition from right here in Melksham. We were blown away by the stunning works of art we received in the inaugural Henchman Topiary Awards.

“The incredible passion and talent displayed in last year’s competition was simply inspiring and compelled us to expand the awards across Europe this year in search of even more talented topiarists.

“Topiary is a timeless traditional art form that has taken on a new lease of life in the garden in recent years, which was evident in the creativity of the entries we received. We can’t wait to see what works of art are submitted this year and to celebrate the professionals and home gardeners who have created them!”

Last year’s competition attracted over 75 entrants, showcasing extraordinary displays of skill. West Sussex-based Harrie Carnochan won the Professional Gardener category for his precisely sculpted, symmetrical designs, while David Hawson from Aberdeenshire claimed victory in the Home Gardener category with his intricate hedge scene featuring countryside and marine creatures, inspired by Moby Dick.

Submissions are open until 31st May. To enter, participants are invited to submit photographs and a brief description of their topiary work through the official competition page at https://www.henchman.co.uk/pages/henchman-topiary-awards.

For more information and, visit www.henchman.co.uk.