THE MODERN MINT BLOG

Oct05

Alys Fowler & Bee Friendly Bulbs

Well would you look at that!

The mainstream media are picking up on the idea that organic bulbs are bee friendly bulbs, and we should all be planting them – hurrah!

Read what Alys Fowler has to say in the Guardian.

We have been banging on about this for a few years already, and selling these toxin free bulbs all that time.

Alys Fowler does not mention us in her list of suppliers, but you can see what we have in stock here – Ecobulbs.

Or find a (sadly) short list of other suppliers in the UK here – Where To Buy Organic Bulbs.

Happy planting for spring everyone!

Mar09

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. …

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Mar09

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 …

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Mar09

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 …

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