THE MODERN MINT BLOG
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 an interesting topic and should lead to some new avenues to explore, some inspiration to take, when it comes to shaping plants – how would a pruner try to capture the ‘feel’ of an ancient tree and its shape, a shape made by the elements and other factors – with a younger plant?
How does ecology and history shape a tree?
Get your tickets at the Aesthetic Pruners Association now.
Below – my attempt at Aesthetic Pruning…. second year, beech… now known as the Seven Sisters!
Buxus the Norfolk Terrier In Modern Topiary Book
This is Buxus, our Norfolk Terrier, who I acknowledge in the acknowledgments of the book of Modern Topiary. The book of Modern Topiary can be read, for free, here. There you go. Buxus the dog on ‘doorstep duty’ at a friend’s house in Edinburgh. For those asking what he looked like!
What People Think Of Modern Topiary, The Book
Yesterday I put out the book – Modern Topiary – that I have spent the last six years writing. Download for free a pdf of Modern Topiary here. And what seems amazing to me, is that not only have people actually been reading it, but then responding to it. So below are a number of comments I have been sent from those who read it last night, and this morning…. “Brilliant read, exactly the right amount of info to take in and digest.” Rachel, a gardener “Just finished reading – absolutely brilliant!” Camilla (she shared with me lots she highlighted) …
Modern Topiary Book
Over the last six years I have been writing a book. It is called Modern Topiary and I have finally finished it, and now made it available for people to read. This is the blurb on the back…. This is the topiary book I wish I had when I began trying to clip plants into a shape others would consider beautiful. Split into two parts – the craft and then the art of topiary – I have tried to share everything I know. It’s not a long book. I hope this gives you the foundation for good technique, alongside ideas …