THE MODERN MINT BLOG
In the New York Times earlier this year was a lovely interview with Michael Gibson, who makes topiary and gardens in New York.
The article is here but you may not have access… however, search the internet, find it and have a read. It is great!
His philosophy of pruning is especially worth it…
Sacred geometry in topiary? Yes please! What a phrase! I think (and speak) of balance, of major and minor, of leaf volume… but sacred geometry might well make it into my topiary teaching lexicon!
And the idea of directional trimming? I realise I do this, but didnt realise it… that is what elevates a topiary cut so that the facade of your hedge, or topiary, looks so damn tactile!
This is the benefit of coming to topiary from a separate industry – in his case, hairdressing – it opens up a way of thinking and speaking about shaping plants that is a step beyond the traditional thinking about green architecture in garden history.
It is such an art and a craft topiary, and the article with Michael captures that beautifully.
Do read!
And then come back here and take a look at an idea for a Topiary Library…
Topiary Library
I do a lot of teaching topiary. I had the opportunity from my mentor, Charlotte Molesworth, to work on her garden and experiment and test techniques and generally try making shapes without the worry of failure, or being fired, or being sued and run out of business for getting it wrong. This opportunity was essential (along with Charlotte’s insistance that pruning standards had to be high!) in becoming better at topiary. When I look around the world at our cultural vitamins, what we see in the media day in and day out, I see the stupidest and grossest of people …
Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue
With Chris Poole of the European Boxwood and Topiary Society we visited Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue in Rutland. Do you know it? Amazing place! Chris and I were teaching a topiary workshop in order to give local people the skills and technique, and tenacity! to help with the pruning of the avenue and elevate it to something even more special than it already is. Read more about the workshops here. We hope to run a further workshop in September 2026, as well as teach an advanced course too. Check the teaching page through the year as it will be updated …
Aesthetic Pruners Association – New Talk In December
An organisation I love and have been learning lots from in the last two years is the Aesthetic Pruners Association based in the USA. Sharing knowledge with them about clipping and the overlap – and differences! – in style is something worth exploring, so I recommend a visit to their website and to join onto their events and talks, which are all on Zoom meaning you can access them from anywhere in the world. No excuse not to learn! The next event will be led by Jocelyn Cohen and be about ancient trees in the British Landscape. This is such …