A cut above the rest!

Gardeners at National Trust Cymru’s Powis Castle and Garden have once again taken to the skies to tackle one of the most remarkable jobs in British horticulture: the annual trimming of the garden’s iconic yew tumps and towering, cloud-like hedges. 

Armed with electric hedge trimmers and assisted by a hydraulic cherry picker, the Garden Team has spent weeks carefully shaping the famous 300-year-old yews that cascade down the Italianate Terraces beneath the medieval castle.

Reaching heights of up to 55ft (17m), these remarkable specimens form one of the most recognisable and dramatic garden landscapes in Britain. 

The monumental task covers more than 15,000 square metres of formal hedges and is essential to maintaining the distinctive appearance of the Grade I listed garden, which attracts visitors from across the world. 

Senior Gardener Dan Bull, who has spent recent weeks working high above the terraces, meticulously clipping the giant yews, says:  

“In gardening, a ‘job for the weekend’ usually means finally getting around to trimming a hedge at home. At Powis, it’s a little different. 

“Clipping the yew tumps is one of the biggest tasks in our gardening calendar, but it’s also one of the most rewarding. These iconic features are what many visitors come to see, so it’s fantastic to watch people stopping to admire them and take photos once the cut is complete.”

Originally planted in the early 1700s, the yews are regarded as one of Britain’s finest examples of Baroque garden design.

Over the centuries their appearance has evolved with changing gardening fashions, from neatly clipped cones to a more natural form during the rise of landscape gardening in the late 18th century, before transforming into the dramatic cloud-like shapes visitors recognise today.

While the annual hedge cut remains a huge undertaking, modern technology has transformed the process. Historically, 10 gardeners could spend up to four months clipping the yew and box hedges by hand, using hand shears and towering ladders. Today, battery-powered hedge cutters and hydraulic platforms mean the work can be completed by just three gardeners in around six to eight weeks, making the process safer and more efficient while still requiring immense skill, patience and attention to detail.

Together, the famous yew hedges and tumps and miles of box hedging create the unique terraced landscape that has made Powis Castle one of Wales’ most celebrated gardens.

The annual cut continues a centuries-old tradition of horticultural craftsmanship while helping preserve this historic landscape’s distinctive character for future generations.

Visitors can enjoy the freshly clipped tumps and hedges throughout autumn, when their sculptural forms stand out against the rich seasonal colours across the garden.