Box hedging and topiary on a terrace at Pitmedden Garden, Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe

Giardino Giusti, Verona, Veneto, Italy, Europe

Elaborate topiary surrounding the chateau at Les Jardins de Marqueyssac in Vezac, Dordogne, France, Europe

Garden maze, Portugal, Europe

Yew hedge, seats and sculpture in spring at Hardwick Hall, near Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe

The kitchen gardens feature seasonal vegetables at the Chateau de Villandry, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Loire Valley near Tours, Indre et Loire, Centre, France, Europe

The beautiful castle and gardens at Villandry, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Indre et Loire, Centre, France, Europe

Leeks, chilli peppers in the kitchen gardens that feature seasonal vegetables at the Chateau de Villandry, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Loire Valley near Tours, Indre et Loire, Centre, France, Europe

A home-made knot garden, England, United Kingdom, Europe

The beautiful castle and gardens at Villandry, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Indre et Loire, Centre, France, Europe

Formal gardens at the Chateau de Villandry, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Loire Valley near Tours, Indre et Loire, Centre, France, Europe

The Pond Gardens and Banqueting House, Hampton Court Palace, Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Greater London, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Malakoff Garden, part of Imperador Gardens, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, Europe

Edzell Castle dating from the 17th century, and garden, near Edzell Village and Brechin, Angus, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe

Edzell Castle dating from the 17th century, with a late medieval tower house, and garden, near Edzell Village and Brechin, Angus, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe

Formal gardens, Chateau de Villandry, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Loire Valley, France, Europe

Formal gardens, Chateau de Villandry, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Loire Valley, France, Europe

Italian Garden, Mount Stewart House, County Down, Ulster, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, Europe

Topiary bushes on a caravan park near Kendal, Lake District, Cumbria, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Planting a conifer hedge. Planting an Italian cypress 'Stricta'.

Planting a conifer hedge. Step 5: planting an Italian cypress 'Stricta'.

Planting a conifer hedge. Step 6: watering a freshly planted Italian cypress 'Stricta' on mulch cloth.

Planting a conifer hedge. Step 2: spreading a composted amendment to enrich the soil.

Planting a conifer hedge. Step 3: Laying a mulch cloth. It is wedged in place by burying the edges with the spade iron.

Planting a conifer hedge. Step 4: Cutting the mulch cloth crosswise with a cutter.

Planting a conifer hedge. Step 1: prepare the planting trench.