CUTTING-HEDGE TOPIARY COMPETITION SERIES "CLIPPED" AVAILABLE TO STREAM ON DISCOVERY+ MAY 12

Host Michael Urie and Judges Martha Stewart, Fernando Wong and Chris Lambton Decide Who Makes the Cut in HGTV's Newest Design Event

(New York, N.Y.) - Gardening fans need to plant themselves in front of their tablets, smartphones, laptops or television monitors on Wednesday, May 12, when discovery+ drops a special 90-minute premiere episode of Clipped, the first competition series set in the spectacular world of topiary. Hosted by actor Michael Urie, the six-episode series follows seven real life "Edward Scissorhands" who create breathtaking sculptures out of meticulously trimmed shrubbery, plants and flowers - designing colorful, larger-than-life, living works of art. Throughout the series, competitors will face high-stakes challenges and have their topiary masterpieces evaluated by lead judge and gardening icon Martha Stewart (HGTV's Martha Knows Best) and an expert panel of judges, including critically acclaimed landscape architect Fernando Wong and lifestyle, landscape and horticultural expert Chris Lambton (HGTV's Going Yard). Each week they decide who makes the cut, who gets clipped, and, in the end, who is crowned as the top topiarist who wins $50,000 cash and bragging rights as the first-ever Clipped champion. New episodes of Clipped will launch each Wednesday on discovery+.

"It's colorful, bold, playful, and it's alive. It's topiary - the art of transforming ordinary plants into extraordinary, living sculptures shapes and characters," said host Michael Urie. "And now, for the first time ever, seven top topiary artists are taking part in a competition like no other."

"We've selected the best and brightest event designers, botanical designers and artists from around the country to wow fans in the ultimate topiary showdown," said Bob Kirsh, vice president, programming and development, HGTV. "It's remarkable to watch talented people transform plants and flowers with this incredibly creative art form."

The Seven Competitors

The competitors, ready to impress the judges with their breathtaking, innovative landscape designs or face elimination, include: Mike "Gibby Siz" Gibson (Youngstown, Ohio); Edward "Cowboy" Pequignot (Kent, Connecticut); Meghan Petricka (Eden Prairie, Minnesota); Jade Rojas (Brooklyn, New York); Juan Villanueva (New York, NY); Marie Danielle Vil-Young (Franklin Park, New Jersey); and Ryan Zoeller (New York, NY).

The Challenges

The weekly challenges are specifically engineered to test the gardening prowess required for a Clipped champion. During each challenge, contestants will work in the state-of-the-art topiary tent, fabrication area and world class nursery to create designs that showcase their distinctive style and brand. The competitors are presented with over-the-top tasks, such as sculpting enormous animals worthy of a large-scale museum exhibition and designing a living room with functional sod "furniture" made entirely of plants.

Digital Extras

Series fans can find scores of photos and videos from the new series at HGTV.com/Clipped, as well as learn more information about each contestant, judge and host Michael Urie. From fun behind-the-scenes details to photo galleries of topiary designs and more, HGTV.com will keep fans up to date on every exciting detail. Fans are also invited to connect with the series across the discovery+ digital platforms at discoveryplus.com and via @discoveryplus and #HGTVClipped on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

About discovery+

discovery+ is the definitive non-fiction, real life subscription streaming service. discovery+ features a landmark partnership with Verizon that gives their customers with select plans up to 12 months of discovery+ on Verizon. discovery+ has the largest-ever content offering of any new streaming service at launch, featuring a wide range of exclusive, original series across popular, passion verticals in which Discovery brands have a strong leadership position, including lifestyle and relationships; home and food; true crime; paranormal; adventure and natural history; as well as science, tech and the environment, and a slate of high-quality documentaries. For more, visit discoveryplus.com or find it on a variety of platforms and devices, including ones from Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, Roku and Samsung.