THE MODERN MINT BLOG
This Chelsea Fringe we are running a project called ‘You Should Have Seen It Last Week…’
Taking part is the Uruguayan paisajista Amalia Robredo. She sent us two options for photos – the one above, or the one we eventually chose (that can be seen on the project page – just follow the link above!)
She wrote this about her choice of plants to photo:
“It was a difficult choice as we are in the end of autumn and there is not really much to change in the weeks to come.
I wanted the picture to reflect the place where I live, that is why it had to have the sea and it has a very specific plant community that only takes place in this coastal area, it is called “matorral espinoso psamófilo” (Our Note: ‘the spiny scrub?’), it holds some endemic species and it is an endangered community due to urban development.
I wanted to have Cortaderia selloana (Pampa grass) as it is a plant that many around the world know and I thought it could be interesting to see it in its native setting.
I hope you like them.”
We certainly do. The photograph is stunning and provides a wonderful contrast to the gardens and plants that are taking part in the project from the Northern Hemisphere.
To learn more about Amalia and her work you can buy here book here…
Or read this by Piet Oudolf and Noel Kingsbury – Planting: A New Perspective
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!