THE MODERN MINT BLOG
Amalia Robredo took part in our Chelsea Fringe project at the start of June. Now here is an update, from Uruguay, of her landscape…
Those in the Southern Hemisphere are now in Autumn and heading for Winter. Yet looking at the photo the scene looks warm and inviting. As does the sea…
Looking back over the photos from earlier in June, things don’t appear to have changed. Apart from the Cereus uruguayanus losing its fruits to the birds. Yet, almost imperceptibly, the scene now has a more bleached, paler look. Even the light seems to be changing.
Yes… looking closely, things are different. Quietly different, but different all the same. So what can we learn from that? Well, as Dr Seuss said…
And when things start to happen,
Don’t worry. Don’t stew.
Just go right along.
You’ll start happening too.
That is what we learn from it. Things start to happen. So just go right along.
Michael Gibson, New York Topiary Art!
In the New York Times earlier this year was a lovely interview with Michael Gibson, who makes topiary and gardens in New York. The article is here but you may not have access… however, search the internet, find it and have a read. It is great! His philosophy of pruning is especially worth it… Sacred geometry in topiary? Yes please! What a phrase! I think (and speak) of balance, of major and minor, of leaf volume… but sacred geometry might well make it into my topiary teaching lexicon! And the idea of directional trimming? I realise I do this, but …
Topiary Library
I do a lot of teaching topiary. I had the opportunity from my mentor, Charlotte Molesworth, to work on her garden and experiment and test techniques and generally try making shapes without the worry of failure, or being fired, or being sued and run out of business for getting it wrong. This opportunity was essential (along with Charlotte’s insistance that pruning standards had to be high!) in becoming better at topiary. When I look around the world at our cultural vitamins, what we see in the media day in and day out, I see the stupidest and grossest of people …
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 …