THE MODERN MINT BLOG
Rosybee, the brilliant plant nursery in Oxford who focus on plants for bees, have published the results of their studies. After 5 years of testing plants and counting honeybees you can see the top performers here…
We interviews Rosi, the owner of Rosybee nursery years back when she started. Do take a read as it offers great advice on the thought that went towards making life as easy as possible for a start-up nursery. Especially one with such an important mission!
As you can see, the top plants for the honeybee are Helenium autumnale, a beautiful daisy and pretty easy to grow and Calamint. Not one you will often see I don’t think, but well worth a spot in the garden for all that value it provides honeybees. It did pretty well in attracting bumblebees too!
Happy planting for the bees everyone. And don’t forget, you can explore our blog further by clicking through the posts or just by searching for what you might like to know in the bar at the top right of this page.
We cover a range of topics including topiary, tools and how to reduce your carbon footprint. The simplest way to do that is by changing to a renewable energy supplier. We love Bulb.
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 …