SITE REQUIREMENTS:
Light: Full sun to partial shade. Topiary (Yew) tolerates full sun to moderate shade. Lavender and Roses require full sun (6+ hours daily) for best flowering and fragrance. Philadelphus, Hesperis, and Viola tolerate partial shade. Ideal position receives sun most of day with some afternoon shade protection for Roses in hottest regions.
Soil: Well-drained, moderate fertility. Yew tolerates wide range including chalk and clay (if drainage adequate). Lavender requires excellent drainage—amend heavy clay with grit. Roses prefer rich soil but adapt to most conditions. Hesperis and Viola tolerate typical garden soil.
Space: Minimum 2m width for Starter, 2.5m for Standard, 3.5m for Impactful. Allow 70-80cm clearance from topiary container edge to door frame (see Placement Guide).
POSITIONING LAYOUT:
Step 1: Position Topiary Spirals
Place containers 140-160cm apart (center to center) depending on entrance width. Spirals should be positioned to allow viewing from multiple angles—their three-dimensional helical form benefits from rotational viewing. Ensure containers sit level.
Step 2: Plant Roses
Position 80-120cm behind topiary, against wall/fence/trellis where they can climb. Space 120-150cm apart if planting both (Starter/Standard have 2 plants, Impactful has 2 plants). Install support (trellis, wires) before or immediately after planting. Roses will climb upward creating fragrant backdrop.
Step 3: Plant Philadelphus
Position to one side of entrance (left or right) 100-150cm from topiary. This structural shrub becomes 1.5-2m width at maturity—give it space to develop natural arching habit. Don't crowd against topiary; let it occupy its own ground.
Step 4: Plant Lavender
Position in clusters of 2-3 plants, spacing 60-80cm in front of topiary containers. Within clusters, space individual plants 40-45cm apart. Creates fragrant foreground without obscuring spiral bases.
Step 5: Plant Hesperis (Sweet Rocket)
Scatter throughout mid-ground between Lavender and topiary, or in gaps around Philadelphus. Space 40-50cm apart. Upright habit fills vertical space whilst allowing evening scent to drift. Self-seeds gently—allow some natural spreading for cottage garden effect.
Step 6: Plant Viola (Sweet Violet)
Use as ground cover beneath and around topiary containers, under Philadelphus, or along shaded edges. Space 25-30cm apart. Spreads naturally to create fragrant carpet in areas receiving partial shade.
DETAILED LAYOUT PLANS:
For comprehensive positioning diagrams showing exact plant placement for your entrance dimensions and variant-specific layouts, see our Bundle Planting Guide.
[View Bundle Planting Guide →]
ESTABLISHMENT CARE (First 6 Months):
Topiary: Water 2-3× weekly during first summer (even established Yew benefits from consistent moisture when newly positioned). Feed once in spring. Yew is exceptionally low-maintenance once established. See Complete Care Guide.
Border Plants: Water 2-3× weekly first growing season until established. Roses and Philadelphus need consistent moisture first year—these are larger plants establishing root systems. Mulch 5cm around all plants (keep clear of stems). No feeding required Year 1.
By 6 months: Starter plants rooted and establishing (30-40% mature size, fragrance developing). Standard plants established with noticeable presence (50-70% mature, good fragrance from Roses/Lavender). Impactful plants quickly established, near-mature fragrance and appearance (70-90% mature, substantial scent from first season).
