Man’s mission with his hedges
2 min read
On a quiet, dead-end street in London’s Islington district, Tim Bushe can often be found trimming his hedge. But this isn’t just any hedge—it’s a meticulously sculpted topiary in the shape of a giant locomotive. What began as an ordinary gardening task has turned into a neighborhood attraction, thanks to Bushe’s artistic touch.
More than 15 years ago, Bushe’s wife, Philippa, asked him to trim their hedge into the shape of a cat. Instead, Bushe created the train, which marked the beginning of his topiary journey. Shortly after, Bushe, an architect by profession, began helping a neighbor struggling with his own hedge. At Philippa’s suggestion, he eventually sculpted the cat she originally requested.
The couple had met as teenagers in art school and were together for 47 years until Philippa passed away from breast cancer seven years ago. In her memory, Bushe has continued to create intricate hedge sculptures, transforming the greenery around his home into elephants, fish, a hippo, a squirrel, and even a replica of Henry Moore’s famous “Reclining Nude.”
The “Reclining Nude” topiary, positioned in front of his choir friend Polly Barker’s house, has turned the street into a local landmark. Barker recalls initially worrying that the bold sculpture might offend neighbors, but instead, it became a beloved attraction, even earning a spot on Google Maps.
Beyond the artistry, Bushe’s topiary work serves a greater purpose. With each creation, he raises money for various charities, many focused on environmental causes. His first fundraising mission was for an organization that cares for his sister, who has Down syndrome. Through his hedge sculptures, Bushe managed to raise about £10,000 (roughly $13,000) for the cause.
Bushe describes his creative process as one guided by the natural shapes within the hedge. His wife Philippa, also an artist, was his muse, and he believes she would be fascinated by how his hobby has evolved. Bushe plans to continue his work for as long as he can, joking that he’ll keep going “until I fall off my ladder.”
For Bushe, his passion for topiary feels like destiny, reflected in the coincidence of his last name. Most importantly, he finds joy in seeing his work bring smiles to others.
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