Gertrude Jekyll’s enduring influence on British gardening is once again in the spotlight with a recent effort to restore a unique piece of horticultural history at her former Surrey home, Munstead Wood. Among her many contributions to garden design, one of the more whimsical legacies is a large yew hedge shaped to resemble a cat.

Jekyll (1843-1932) was a pioneering garden designer credited with creating over 300 gardens, known for their carefully managed informality. While most of her designs reflected a disciplined and methodical approach—characterized by her reputedly no-nonsense and formidable personality—the topiary cat represents a rare moment of lightheartedness. The hedge reportedly began to take on the shape of a feline after her head gardener observed its resemblance, prompting Jekyll to authorize further trimming to highlight the form.

More than a century later, the green cat remains visible, though the current gardening team at Munstead Wood believes it requires maintenance. To address this, they enlisted topiary specialist Darren to prune the hedge. Early results have left the structure less immediately recognizable as a cat, more closely resembling a typical hedge, but the team advises patience as the plant recovers and regains its sculpted form.

Darren noted that although the hedge looks rough following the recent trimming, significant progress has been made toward restoring its shape. The head gardener, Annabel, emphasized Jekyll’s lasting impact on gardening styles across Britain, pointing out that many people unknowingly continue to garden in ways influenced by her methods and principles.

The restoration project highlights both the historical significance and ongoing care required to preserve living works of garden design. While some may view the task of shaping hedges into animal forms as challenging or unconventional, the effort serves as a reminder of Jekyll’s creative spirit and her role in shaping horticultural heritage.