THE MODERN MINT BLOG
Note: SOLD!
We have a copy of the book ‘The Barn Garden’ by Tom Stuart Smith here, for sale.
It has some great review on Amazon and is his own account, with photos, of how he came to make his own garden. No ‘blousy’ peonies or kniphofias (although there was a time he had them in his borders) because he wanted a garden that belonged to the landscape.
He writes beautifully and often leaves the reader with tantalising notes on certain plants – like keeping the plants that come from tough, dry environments in nature free of additional fertiliser. A lean diet benefits their growth!
The photos of the corten tanks that were originally a part of his Chelsea Flower Garden, against the Iris that bloom so bright and delightfully, are a wonder and really make me think about the way I garden. To up my game, to be bolder and use plants that can sometimes be a little harder to grow, or to establish, or to thrive, but not let the put me off and work smarter to make them bloom.
Because when they do they are a true delight!
Amazon are selling copies of the book, 2 copies, used, for £75.
Or brand new from £297!
We would like to offer it to you for £45. That way you can read it, sell it on and get some of your money back… or, keep it and enjoy the inspiration you can get from Tom Stuart-Smith’s ‘The Barn Garden: Making a Place.’
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 …
The Amelia Project – Episode 88: Didius Julianus
Friends of mine write a sitcom podcast called The Amelia Project (I wrote about this years ago, when they started it….!) December 2024 I had some fun playing the tiny part of Fornio in episode 88 – Didius Julianus. I have not listened to the episode yet, as I am clearly not an actor… and the thought of listening to my dulcet tones for the few minutes I’m in it just… makes me feel ill. But the recording and being in the studio was great fun, the real actors were hilarious and the script is brilliant – not just funny, …