Poodling: On the just shaping of topiary

Author: Marc Treib
Poodling is a vernacular approach to pruning shrubbery: a negotiation between gardener and shrub that pits human aesthetic intention against the genetic forces that guide the plant's natural development. In this informed telling of the story, noted landscape historian Marc Treib traces the evolution & characteristics of topiary, espalier, & other forms of plant guidance like poodling, proposing that what began as functional horticultural practices was transformed into a vehicle for artistic expression. 'Poodling' catalogues the forms of pruning we encounter today and their probable origin in Japan during the eighteenth century. Noting the parallels, he compares the forms of poodling (vegetal) with those of the canine species poodle (animal), and the manners by which the dog's hair has been clipped. Richly illustrated with photographs by the author taken in many countries over three decades, this is an informative book that everyone can enjoy.
ISBN 9781957183824. ORO Editions. pb. 112 pages. 23 x 14 cm.