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:
New Topiary In South London Out Of Yew
Making a new topiary out of the large, dull facade of a Taxus blob… My work was to change it up from a ‘jelly drop’ shape and give it texture, open it out and let the light through, and make it a sculptural feature in the background of the garden in summer… yet a major part of the garden in winter. A few more years before it becomes something special, but there was far more leaf and growth inside the plant than I thought and so it will not take too long for it to gain in character and become …
Topiary Teacher – Put on The Spot!
Two weeks ago I was invited to teach topiary at the garden of Griselda Kerr, the author of The Apprehensive Gardener. I love teaching and sharing skills, but I was placed on the spot in the afternoon and asked to show how I would make a new topiary from an existing shrub. So below is a speeded-up video of me creating a cloud-pruned topiary from an old boxwood tree. I particularly love the ending when the class get involved….! See the video here. One hour was all it took, and though it needed a little tidying-up, it was made by …
Book Yourself A Topiary Workshop 2022
Charlotte Molesworth, my topiary mentor, and I are running our popular topiary workshop again in 2022. You can email me for details – or go here for information, your ticket and to find out about dates. Book A Spot On A Topiary Workshop, September 2022