THE MODERN MINT BLOG
Yesterday we wrote about Boys Toys in Chelmsford, today we want to expand on that… with a few more manly tools…
Tripod ladders are a must – light to carry and get you right into the hedge, reducing the danger of over-stretching. Which you’re liable to do, if not at the start, then when you get tired and want to finish the hedge quickly…
These are not a bad way to start, cut beautifully and feel good in the hand…
Thinning shears or ‘dainty pruners’, these are useful for accurate cutting. Or getting the salad leaves in to go with the BBQ…
Dad’s love barbeques… apparently. So buy him this. Although if you do have money to spend…
… we suggest these shears. Oh! They are so beautiful to use!
So beautiful to use, we end up clipping more than we should. (Not on your garden) but in our own…
The larger version, for extra reach and tougher woody hedges, are also great. Little tip: you don’t always have to hold them at the ends either…
The best blade?
The best saw? (But good golly be careful!!!)
And if you don’t want to use your own power… if you just love petrol and oil and all those power tools… those Boys Toys… then here you are. Wear earplugs. Eh? WEAR EARPLUGS!
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….! …
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…
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!