THE MODERN MINT BLOG

May06

3 More Nurseries to Tell You About…

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.

2) Glendoick, Perth

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

Garden Plants for Scotland

Apr14

Topiary, The Art Garden at The Henderson

The Art Garden at The Henderson in Hong-Kong has now opened to the public. I joined the project last March, to work with Gillespies Landscape Architects on the topiary that had been designed for the Art Garden, which gives a calm, green space below the extraordinary Henderson skyscraper designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. The garden has been designed with butterflies in mind, so lots of nectar plants, and has other art projects and installations within its footprint. The history of the site is interesting too – it was originally the first cricket ground in Hong-Kong! So still a green space….! …

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Apr14

ClipFest 2025

On Sunday June 22nd there will be Clipfest 2025 at Ichi-Coo Park in Surrey. It is a celebration of all things pruning and topiary, and I will be there in my capacity of teacher at the European Boxwood and Topiary Society to demonstrate tool cleaning and sharpening, and how to clip. Tickets can be found here on Eventbrite. We are hoping for great weather and to see lots of keen pruners getting their shears out and joining us at this amazing garden! And for more on topiary…

Feb27

Secateur Holders

A present arrived from Norway today, from a student who visited last February to work with Chris Poole and I on learning topiary. His new hobby – a beautiful and neatly stitched secateur holder. Thrilled with this! The holder will save me keep losing my secatuers too…! Thank you Bernt! It was the same student who introduced me to the APA with whom I am doing a talk at the end of March. Tickets can be bought here for ‘Defining The Essence – Aesthetic Pruning in the Garden’. Do join the European Boxwood and Topiary Society for that!