THE MODERN MINT BLOG
A s we have already blogged about, this week is National Nurseries Week. So here are three more nurseries you should get to know because they are knowledgeable and grow great plants.
1) Margery Fish Plant Nursery, Somerset
Established by Margery Fish in the 1950’s, go here if you are a galanthophile or a lover of cottage garden plants.
Still growing over 80% of their stock in nursery beds, this is THE nursery to go to if you want azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias.
3) Spring Reach Nursery, Surrey
They are not a garden centre – do not expect a tea room! What you will get is great advice, especially in plants for difficult places. Problem with rabbits? Speak to them about their range of rabbit proof plants.
Books by Glendoick’s Managing Director Kenneth Cox:
Rhododendrons and Azaleas: A Colour Guide
Scotland for Gardeners: The Guide to Scottish Gardens, Nurseries and Garden Centres
Michael Gibson, New York Topiary Art!
In the New York Times earlier this year was a lovely interview with Michael Gibson, who makes topiary and gardens in New York. The article is here but you may not have access… however, search the internet, find it and have a read. It is great! His philosophy of pruning is especially worth it… Sacred geometry in topiary? Yes please! What a phrase! I think (and speak) of balance, of major and minor, of leaf volume… but sacred geometry might well make it into my topiary teaching lexicon! And the idea of directional trimming? I realise I do this, but …
Topiary Library
I do a lot of teaching topiary. I had the opportunity from my mentor, Charlotte Molesworth, to work on her garden and experiment and test techniques and generally try making shapes without the worry of failure, or being fired, or being sued and run out of business for getting it wrong. This opportunity was essential (along with Charlotte’s insistance that pruning standards had to be high!) in becoming better at topiary. When I look around the world at our cultural vitamins, what we see in the media day in and day out, I see the stupidest and grossest of people …
Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue
With Chris Poole of the European Boxwood and Topiary Society we visited Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue in Rutland. Do you know it? Amazing place! Chris and I were teaching a topiary workshop in order to give local people the skills and technique, and tenacity! to help with the pruning of the avenue and elevate it to something even more special than it already is. Read more about the workshops here. We hope to run a further workshop in September 2026, as well as teach an advanced course too. Check the teaching page through the year as it will be updated …