THE MODERN MINT BLOG
Garden Design in Chelmsford: What Do People Look For?
1) Low Maintenance
At the start of the year we found most clients were asking for artificial lawn. This suggested to us people felt time poor and just didn’t want the hassle of looking after a garden.
Our design suggestion:
Make the lawn areas smaller, with a logical design so that the mower can reach each part of the grass easily and quickly. Job done, minimum of fuss.
2) ‘Wow’ Factor
Clients wanted the garden to be used for entertaining, so it needed to look great.
Our design suggestion:
Use tough but beautiful shrubs like rosemary and lavender – they not only attract wildlife but only need cutting back once a year, are fine if they don’t get any water (it’s not just in Chelmsford, but when designing a garden in hot, dry Essex you have to think about how to cope with the low rainfall!) and they look and smell fantastic.
You can even use them to cook with – even better when you have friends over for dinner and drinks!
3) The personal touch
Clients do not want something mass produced. The people of Chelmsford want their garden design to say something about them.
Our design suggestion:
We have searched and found a range of artisan craftspeople who can design, make and install gates, sculptures, pergolas, pots and potting sheds. We love being able to offer these unique products, because your garden should be an expression of who you are.
Modern Mint design gardens, large or small, that suit the 21st Century lifestyle.
So if you live in Chelmsford and would like to discuss garden design ideas with us, join those who already have and contact us now.
Modern Topiary, the Book, at Garden Media Guild
My book about topiary, Modern Topiary, has been mentioned on the Garden Media Guild newsletter…. As the screenshot says, the book can be read for free online here. At the bottom of the screenshot, it looks like another Garden Media Guild member has a book out called ‘A Year In A Cottage Garden’…. so if that is where your garden heart lies, check that out too! And at the top of the screenshot, it looks like I was listening to Pelleas et Melisande, by Debussy. What a classy chap I am, listening to classical music as I reply to emails. …
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 …