THE MODERN MINT BLOG
The Amelia Project
We have to give a massive shout out to our friends at Imploding Fictions for their brand new series…
The Amelia Project
Have you had a listen yet?
The Amelia Project is an audio drama podcast that offers a very special service – they can make their clients disappear, giving them the chance to start over!
The trouble is – how long can this new secret life last?
We have had great pleasure in working with Imploding Fictions, who have written this fantastic new podcast, over many years. They have supported our work at Modern Mint and always listened as we shared what we were up to in the garden.
So we would really love for you to check out their latest project, subscribe, download and most of all – listen and enjoy the goings on of The Amelia Project….
Go listen to the Amelia Project podcast now!
Michael Gibson, New York Topiary Art!
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 …
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 …