New in our Bandcamp shop, the latest issue of Pleasant Place — a growing collection of publications about the art of gardening — focuses on topiary.

Topiary is the practice of trimming and pruning trees and shrubs into clearly defined and fanciful shapes. As an art form, it is a type of living sculpture, and its practice in Europe dates from Roman times. Featured in this issue are a history of topiary and the changing views of nature by botanical philosopher Norbert Peeters; a conversation with Chris Crowder, head gardener of the celebrated topiary gardens at Levens Hall; the ancient Japanese tradition of ‘niwaki’, or sculpting trees; a glimpse of topiary’s future by artist Rustan Söderling; centrefold miniatures by Andrei Pacea, and more.

Buy your copy here (£12). A small number of copies of the previous issue, about the influential garden designer Mien Ruys, are also still available, alongside restocks of such publications as Black Lodge Press’s A Garden By The Sea: A Zine Inspired by the Words and Films of Derek Jarman. Browse our full selection of exciting and under-the-radar titles here.