In a quiet corner of London’s Islington district, a dead-end road has become an unexpected tourist attraction thanks to the artistry and devotion of Tim Bushe, an architect who has turned hedge trimming into a heartfelt tribute to his late wife, Philippa. Over the years, Bushe has meticulously sculpted the hedges along his street into an open-air gallery of green sculptures, each creation serving as a living memory of their life together. His work began with a simple request from Philippa to trim a cat into their garden hedge. Still, Bushe’s artistic vision soon expanded to include whimsical shapes like locomotives, elephants, and reclining nudes, inspired by the famous sculptor Henry Moore. The street has since become a living testament to their love, attracting sightseers and earning a spot on Google Maps as a local landmark.
Bushe’s dedication to his craft extends beyond personal memory. Each hedge he sculpts is also a means to support charitable causes, reflecting his and Philippa’s shared values. Since she passed from breast cancer seven years ago, Bushe has continued to fill the neighborhood with green sculptures, raising funds for environmental causes and a trust that supports his sister with Down Syndrome. Through his Instagram account, Hedgecutterman, Bushe shares his latest creations and campaigns, including a GoFundMe called “Hedging Against Climate Change,” which supports organizations like WWF, Greenpeace, and Fridays for Future. As he looks to the future, Bushe plans to continue his sculpting work, creating art that not only honors his wife’s memory but also contributes to the causes they both cared deeply about.
