THE MODERN MINT BLOG

Nov28

Plant Trees With Ecosia

This came to our attention about a year ago. But we’ve only just realised we hadn’t told enough people about it!

Ecosia. A search engine that plants trees, every time you use it.

How amazing is that? Helping the planet green up each and every time you search for something. We think it is just as good as Google for most things you need to search for (please don’t send me your search items it couldn’t find. Your private searches are your own.) Plus, it takes you away from giving information (and so more power) to Google. Something some of you may be interested in.

Another search engine that does that is called DuckDuckGo. They are also very good and using them means you are ‘sticking it to the man’.

So if you are not looking for some presents at Modern Mint this year, why not continue your search on the search engine that plants trees? Use Ecosia – for a greener kind of window shopping!

We Also Have Our Own Grove Of Trees You Can Add To – Visit Trees For Life To Help Plant More!

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!