THE MODERN MINT BLOG
Roses for Hips
Just a quick note to share these choices of roses for their hips, from the RHS magazine. The rose choices were…
Rosa rugosa ‘Alba’ – yes, lovely. choice
Rosa filipes ‘Kiftsgate’ (not sure who has the space to grow this one!)
Rosa ‘Francis E Lester’
Rosa ‘Generous Gardener’ (though the article noted if you leave the hips on you will get fewer flowers later in the season)
Rosa ‘Morning Mist’
Rosa ‘Cupid’
Rosa sericea subspecies omeiensis f. pteracantha (not just a mouthful of a name, but the hips drop off quickly too, within a few weeks)
Rosa ‘Geranium’
Rosa californica
Rosa rubiginosa (sweet briar! Crush those leaves for the scent!)
Rosa virginiana
Rosa ‘Shropshire Lass’
Many of these roses are species roses, because they have a need to set seed, in order to live on and prosper!
Uses of Rosehips
Loved this part of the article, as we have a special interest in skincare and the use of plants for helping the body stay healthy.
Hips were used for:
Itching powder
An excellent source of Vitamin C
The pulp for jams and juices
As a tea – recommended to alleviate headaches, cramps, dizziness and osteoarthritis.
It is also said to improve your mood, your energy levels and the quality of your sleep.
Those hips don’t lie, huh?
For more on roses, take a look at a blog about our visit to David Austin Roses.
Start of the Whitby Topiary Library
I have been offered a space here in the centre of Whitby, south-facing aspect, with some raised beds in, so that I can make a Topiary Library. In my head, a topiary library is a place to showcase the common (and then not so common) shapes you can make out of topiary. With classical topiary plants, as well as some more unusual pieces. This Topiary Library can act as a reference for people to learn more about pruning and clipping. The space is small but the aspect is great and the beds are deep enough to put some plants in. …
Delivery After Dark – From the Makers of The Amelia Project
Last week I spent most nights stood in cold water streams on the moors of North Yorkshire, helping to film a new project called Delivery After Dark from the makers of the Amelia Project. I worked on the Amelia Project back at the end of 2024, lending my terrible vocal talents to a small part in the episode Didius Julianus. But this project is something new – and exciting! – and thankfully only needed me to be filmed, rather than to actually say anything. But not only did I have to stand in cold moving water at midnight, I also …
Modern Topiary (The Book) – Message From Lady Clippers, And Others!
My topiary book – Modern Topiary – has recently been put out as a PDF, which can be read for free. (Have a look here to download and read/share it!) Then last week I received a lovely email from Ann Perkowski of Lady Clippers, who are topiary and pruning specialists in New York (Ann is a brilliant pruning teacher too, who teaches at New York Botanical Garden… check out her work and Lady Clippers website.) Hi Darren, I had to write you how much I love reading your Modern Topiary. I’m not sure I’ll ever be quite done with it because I’m …