If the look of traditional topiary is too stiff and stuffy for you, take a look at Jake Hobson‘s work. The Dorset-based pruner and topiary specialist studied sculpture at the Slade. He then went on to live in Japan for two years where he was introduced to Japanese gardening and pruning techniques. His style of “organic topiary” marries Japanese and European approaches to topiary and embraces the “natural shape of plants as much as the formal and mass sculptural style of pruning like we see in Europe.” If you have a few minutes today, watch the short video on his homepage –– it really is quite inspiring.