THE MODERN MINT BLOG
Modern Topiary Book
Over the last six years I have been writing a book. It is called Modern Topiary and I have finally finished it, and now made it available for people to read.
This is the blurb on the back….
This is the topiary book I wish I had when I began trying to clip plants into a shape others would consider beautiful.
Split into two parts – the craft and then the art of topiary – I have tried to share everything I know.
It’s not a long book.
I hope this gives you the foundation for good technique, alongside ideas on how plants can be developed into full designs.
A light read, with illustrations, to give you everything you need – with a careful read – to make brilliant green architecture in your own garden.
The book is available as a pdf. For free. Just click through to the BOOK page and download the pdf. Then read. Share with someone it might help.
Then grab a pair of shears and get clipping!
Part of my remit at Modern Mint, what I want to do with the company, is raise the standard of topiary and hedge pruning.
So by making this information available for free, I hope to reach as many people as possible. Then in turn, this should, I hope, help improve the pruning in gardens round the country.
In the future I would love the book to have a print version. Have an exciting front cover. Change the illustrations. Make the chapter on ‘Tactility’ embossed, so the words on the actual page are tactile. All these things will lift the book further.
But the important thing now is that the information is out there, available to keen gardeners and creatives who want to clip.
So go read Modern Topiary.
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 …