The care of very old and valuable Topiary specimens is best left to the experts, but if you want to tackle routine maintenance yourself, then the old adage of “little and often” holds true here, especially through the growing season of May to September. Don’t start clipping until you’re confident that the last frost of winter has passed, then, after an initial all-over trim in the spring, attend to errant growth as and when you see it or when the mood takes you. On mature examples, particularly Yew, it’s quite possible that no further attention will be required until growth diminishes in the autumn, although this depends on the species. Too little is better than too much, so resist the temptation to snip away recklessly – an error can take a long time to grow back! Stop clipping in early autumn, or fresh shoots may still be immature when the first frosts arrive.

Clipping is best done using sharp secateurs or even a good pair of scissors. Special Topiary shears, with their spring-release action, are excellent, of course. Conventional shears, however, especially electric ones, are akin to sledgehammers and nuts, unless you’re tackling a very large specimen or formal hedge. Once started, do not press on regardless! Stop frequently, like any good artist, step back, and assess your work. Pinch back young shoots as they emerge, encouraging thicker growth behind.

Simple shapes like Cones, Pyramids and Globes are best if you have little previous experience. With straight-sided geometric shapes, a wooden form can be made from canes to guide you, and then removed once trimming is complete. With Balls and Globes, start around the equator and achieve a good circumference before for clipping the hemispheres. Complex shapes are best done by eye, but a spirit level, plumb line and length of wood can be a useful guide. If creating an Étâgere or Spiral from a fully-grown bush, check carefully within before starting your cut back towards the stem. You need to ensure that the lateral branches will properly fill the areas you want to retain and not leave bare patches. Topiary in pots and planters and restrictive beds should be fed at least once a year, preferably more when young, and then less intensively as they mature. A liquid fertilizer can be applied, but a good mulching around the base with fertilizer or manure should be carried out annually. Don’t be tempted to let snow lie heavily on Topiary in winter just because it looks pretty. The weight alone may damage the underlying branches.