THE MODERN MINT BLOG
Desert Island Plants… by Modern Mint
When the amazing Beth Chatto was asked about the plants she could not live without, she said, “Amelanchier lamarckii… Good form in winter, lovely foliage in spring or autumn, prettier than many cherries (daintier) – and interesting longer.”
When they asked the brilliant Christopher Lloyd the same question, one of his choices was a dahlia, “ ‘Hillcrest Royal’ is a spiky medium cactus of brilliant purple, not quite magenta colouring.”
In 2009 Gardeners’ World asked the nation for their favourite flower. The result? We chose the rose.
Now, for the 2016 Chelsea Fringe, we want to ask you again – is the rose still a favourite bloom? Which plants could you not live without? Which flowers must you have if stranded on a desert island?
How do we take part?
Send a photo (or illustration) of a plant you love and then complete the following sentence in your own words…
My Desert Island Plant would be…
What you write can be any length you want – one word, a paragraph or even a whole story – we just want to know why this plant is worth a spot in your heart.
You can send your photo, with text, to us at info@modernmint.co.uk (we will then post it on Facebook), tweet it to us by including @ModernMintLtd in your tweet, or post it on our Facebook page.
You can send us up to 5 of your Desert Island Plants.
Don’t forget to include your name, the plant variety if applicable and a website address if you have one!
What Happens Next?
The best reasons for choosing your desert island plants will be published on the Modern Mint website at the end of the Chelsea Fringe Festival, where you can decide if you agree with the most popular desert island plants… or not!
(The easiest way to stay updated about this project is to sign up here.)
When do we send our photos and text?
Begin sending, tweeting and posting Modern Mint from tomorrow, April 1st 2016…
Who Would We Like To Hear From?
Everyone and anyone!
Have Modern Mint Done The Chelsea Fringe before?
Yes, we have!
In 2015 we curated the project Contemporary Green which was voted a highlight of the festival and in 2014 we made “You Should Have Seen It Last Week…”
We hope you will join us at the Chelsea Fringe Festival 2016 for Desert Island Plants… by Modern Mint.
Don’t forget, the easiest way you can get updates on Desert Island Plants is by signing up. Go sign up now!
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 …