THE MODERN MINT BLOG
A common theme between these groups is that they support long term initiatives and developments. We feel this is the best work, and relates to how we want to do things here at Modern Mint – partner up and be generous for the long run.
Have a good look yourself!
The Tree Council
Why not apply to be a tree warden?
Garden Organic
Adopt a vegetable (and annoy a meat loving friend!)
South East Essex Organic Gardeners
Our local (well, local enough) group here in Essex.
And lastly, our absolute favourite…
The 2013 watchlist contained 1 breed of sheep, 5 breeds of cattle, 3 breeds of pig and 4 breeds of horse as critical. A critical listing means less than 300 animals are left.
Google ‘Vaynol cow’ or ‘Eriskay Pony’…
…did you do it?
Did you see those pictures?
Did your heart not melt and/or you break into a smile at how lovely they are?
Go on – support the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Because these breeds are worth it!
To find out more, buy this book…
Topiary Teaching For 2026
A new year, so time to share a few thoughts on what I will be looking at doing with topiary, and the focus on teaching I would like to put in place, for 2026 and beyond. Above is Nandina, made by a student of ours from the European Boxwood and Topiary Society. She took a year to work on this, taking a plant not renowned for being a good topiary plant, but seeing what its weirdness is and what values it does have, then exploring and exploding those. I am thrilled by this. Not just this look for autumn. A …
Topiary Workshop 2026 at Waltham Place
The next topiary workshop I will be teaching is now live on the website and can be booked! Just visit Waltham Place to get a ticket for the Topiary Workshop I will be teaching on Friday September 4th at Waltham Place. Myself and Chris Poole of the European Boxwood and Topiary Society (Buxus expert! Like, he knows everything there is to know about the plant! So worth booking just to tap into his knowledge….!) will be teaching here for the… fifth year in a row I think? The garden is a beautiful place to spend time clipping. We will teach …
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 …