THE MODERN MINT BLOG
This is the second in our plant inspiration guide from garden designer Dan Pearson… he has been sharing the plants he loves to use, and I think it is a fascinating series and major help when trying to work out what you can add to your garden.
My own love in the garden is topiary, but topiary really works best when planted with and around some of the plants in this blog.
So check them out below and see act you might add to your borders this year!
(Do check out this review of his excellent book ‘Spirit’.)
Ferns
Adiantum venustum
Asplenium scolopendrium
Athyrium ‘Ghost’
Dryopteris wallichiana
Osmunda regalis
Grasses
Briza media
Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’
Miscanthus sinensis ‘Malepartus’
Molinia caerulea subsp. Arundinacea ‘Transparent’
Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’
Stipa barbata
Thamnochortus insignis
Half-hardy Perennials
Dahlia merckii ‘Alba’
Pelargonium tomentosum
Salvia discolor
Further Reading:
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. …
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 …
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 …