THE MODERN MINT BLOG
We went to see Dan Pearson and Fergus Garrett speak at the Gardens Illustrated talk last week.
Dan spoke about his gardening mentors, the Garden Bridge project for London and his current addiction for Epimediums… his work has evolved over the years – though always remained rooted in the nature of the place itself – he spoke of how his planting palette was changing and the gardens he makes looser and closer in feel to a natural space.
Doesn’t that sound fantastic?
The list he gives below is a useful starting point for anyone needing some gardening inspiration, originally shared in a Gardens Illustrated article…
My own love in the garden is for topiary, but topiary only works in all its glory when you add other plants around it. Some of these annuals, adding colourful contrast to the strength and rooted feel of a group of yew or boxwood topiaries would be a brilliant way to make a garden.
As well as reading on below, do also check out this review of Dan Pearson’s excellent book ‘Spirit’.
Annuals
Ammi majus – the flower growers best friend… I have seen it replaced in a bouquet with the slightly more robust, less elegant flower of ground elder…. yes, seriously!
Eschscholzia californica
Linum grandiflorum ‘Rubrum’
Nicotiana suaveolens
Nigella papillosa ‘African Bride’
Papaver Somniferum ‘Single Black’
Silene armeria ‘Electra’
Bulbs
Crocus tommasinianus – if squirrels are stealing your crocus bulbs, dip them in a paste of cayenne pepper and tabasco sauce first, before planting. That should put them off!
Cyclamen hederifolium f. albiflorum ‘Album’
Erythronium dens-canis
Galanthus ‘Magnet’
Gladiolus ‘Ruby’
Leucojum aestivum ‘Gravetye Giant’
Lilium ‘Claude Shride’
Narcissus ‘Pipit’
Nerine bowdenii
Tulipa sprengeri
Climbers
Akebia longeracemosa
Hedera pastuchovii ‘Ann Ala’
Jasminum officinale ‘Devon Cream’
Parthenocissus henryana
Rosa ‘Cooperi’
Schizophragma integrifolium
Read Part 2, Part 3 or Part 4.
Recommended Reading:
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!