Those pics are beyond inspiring. I can't wait to hear what trees they are. I know pleached hornbeam looks similar but I am not sure. They cast such beautiful shadows.

Thanks Isla. A project to make the garden smaller for more parking has quickly morphed into new patio and then garden…. I’m hoping it will look like the first!

Not to sure on the trees, would help to see a close up of the leaves, but there are lots of alternatives for buxus. Sarcococca humilis is one of my favourite alternatives, or yes, you can use Taxus baccata or Ilex crenata as ball or hedges.

Thanks Helen. We actually went to a local specialist grower on Friday where you can select your trees so have red robins coming this week

i will speak to the landscapers tomorrow but may post back as my plan for actual pleached trees on the drive to screen the building behind may be scuppered!

I love the garden , i might steel these ideas:)

If you find out the trees, please post it:)

I have used Lonicera Nitida very successfully to grow evergreen garden balls. I planted 3 whips pointing diagonally out from the centre of the ball shape and trimmed them over a few years. I had balls within 2-3yrs. It grows pretty fast. I trim almost as often as cutting the grass.

Lonicera nitida https://g.co/kgs/A3cAQa1

@Justina I didn't find out the trees unforutnately. i showed them to the guy at the tree place and he just said they wouldnt be evergreen based on the leaf shape and i didnt ask further as wanted evergreen

This is the Lonicera Nitida, hope it helps 😊

Don’t want to be a party pooper but no lollipop tree will stay that shape without regular pruning. So if you don’t want to have to climb up a ladder and prune a tree regularly, you may be better to get a dwarf tree or large shrub. I bought a tiny Photinia red Robin from Wilkos two years ago and it is huge now, about 8 ft, so will need some drastic pruning very soon. Depends how much work you want to put in. Smallish trees you could try are Crabapple, Hawthorn, Cornus, Magnolia and dwarf Apple Trees. Amelanchier is a beautiful smallish tree but even that will grow to 20 feet or so. Here’s my tiny Photinia, I’m sure it’s a Triffid!

Sonia the deed is done now! Hopefully pruning i can cope with, anything worm or slug related not!! i must admit i thought they were quite slow growers but clearly not lol! I think after having such an awful mostly unusable garden for 10 years we will both be motivated!

You could use a plant identifier app. Apple have one https://apps.apple.com/ie/app/plant-app-plant-identifier/id1595795215 but I’m sure there is an android equivalent. Sonia is right, whatever you plan will require annual trimming to keep in shape.