Winners of 2025 Henchman Topiary Awards unveiled
Revealed at RHS Hampton Court Garden Palace Festival during the first week of July, the 2025 Henchman Topiary Awards were revealed.
Chris Reeve
For its second year, the awards were launched to recognise professionals and home gardeners in the art of topiary, founded by garden ladder specialist Henchman.
Judged across four main categories, the awards were open to European entries for the first time.
The winner of the UK professional category was Chris Reeve, who actually received second place in last year’s competition.
This year, Reeve returned with a giant work boot sculpture, which forms part of a playful trail or topiary creations he began back in 2003.
The UK home gardener first place prize was given to Paul Everden with a topiary garden he has nurtured for over 35 years, featuring high hedges and gravel patterns.
European winner of the professional category was given to Cédric Bronnimann for his Renaissance-style garden featuring 56 architectural yew shapes.
Paul Everden
First place in the home gardener category for Europe was then given to François Vandangeon for his boxwood and yew topiary that depicts a sailing boat.
Clare Lenaghan-Balmer, head of marketing at Henchman says the awards are “a celebration of creativity, skill and personality in every leaf and branch,” adding:
“This year’s entries captured the true artistry behind topiary, from storybook sculptures and abstract designs to masterfully maintained classics.”
Judges included the return of Andy Bourke ‘The Hedge Barber’, and Michael Buck, head of horticulture at Creepers Nursery. They were joined by new faces Petra Hoyer Miller, editor of The Dirt News, and Patrick Salembier, president of EBTS France and runner up in last year’s home gardener category.
