THE MODERN MINT BLOG
Plants for a shady border… be aware, some can cope with deeper shade than others, but all are worthwhile garden plants. For more plants, try Dan Pearson’s list…
Scilla
Snowdrop
Narcissus
Leucojum
Liriope
Hakonechloa
Deschampsia
Foxgloves
Aquilegia
Honesty
Campion
Forget me not
Campanula
Clematis
Cephalaria
Thalictrum
Epimedium
Gillenia
Alchemilla
Hellebore
Japanese anemone
Trillium
Brunnera
Trollius
Bergenia
Tellima
Hosta
Pulmonaria
Aster
Primula
Rodgersia
Asarum
Kirengeshoma
Gallium
Convallaria
Buxus
Hydrangea
Daphne
Sarcococca
Ribes
Ilex
Rosa
Cherry
Polypodium
Dryopteris
For books on what plants to use for a shady border, try these…
Alan Titchmarsh How to Garden: Gardening in the Shade
Planting the Dry Shade Garden: The Best Plants for the Toughest Spot in Your Garden
And probably one of the best writers about gardens… Keith Wiley:
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!