THE MODERN MINT BLOG
Oak Nordeck Chair
As people keep asking what is our favourite Nordeck chair, we thought we would let you know in no uncertain terms – the oak.
Take a closer look at the Oak Nordeck Chair
The wood is strong, the colour is beautiful and it just looks right in the garden (or conservatory, or beach hut… or wherever!)
The larch is another chair we think is beautiful. Larch is an underused wood, lighter in colour than the oak, but with that ability to fit in seemingly anywhere. The larch chair would be our second choice.
The two most popular chairs and pine and birch. Lovely as they are (in very different ways!) it is the quality and dignity of a piece of oak that will be our first choice when choosing furniture for the garden.
There you have it then – the oak nordeck chair is our favourite, and it is steadily becoming more and more popular – we found it was our biggest seller this weekend at RHS Hyde Hall and the Wealden Fair.
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 …