THE MODERN MINT BLOG
Tree Surgery, Essex
Alongside garden design Modern Mint also offer tree surgery as a service to our clients. This is a Eucalyptus we removed in a garden near Gidea Park. The client gave us a brilliant testimonial, which you can see in full if you follow the link to our page on the Best of Chelmsford on the website footer.
But here is a snippet of what they said about us…
“The work was done to a high standard and the area left in a very clean state.
I liked the fact that I was able to arrange a free consultation during which I was given several options of what could be done. I felt confident in the advice I was given and it was clear they had a good knowledge of the subject. I also like the fact that during the whole process I always received a response to any queries or concerns I had about the work.
I would recommend Modern Mint and would definitely use them again for any future gardening works big or small.”
If you have a query about your garden, please do contact us for advice or a quote. We are happy to help you!
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 …
Topiary Library
I do a lot of teaching topiary. I had the opportunity from my mentor, Charlotte Molesworth, to work on her garden and experiment and test techniques and generally try making shapes without the worry of failure, or being fired, or being sued and run out of business for getting it wrong. This opportunity was essential (along with Charlotte’s insistance that pruning standards had to be high!) in becoming better at topiary. When I look around the world at our cultural vitamins, what we see in the media day in and day out, I see the stupidest and grossest of people …
Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue
With Chris Poole of the European Boxwood and Topiary Society we visited Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue in Rutland. Do you know it? Amazing place! Chris and I were teaching a topiary workshop in order to give local people the skills and technique, and tenacity! to help with the pruning of the avenue and elevate it to something even more special than it already is. Read more about the workshops here. We hope to run a further workshop in September 2026, as well as teach an advanced course too. Check the teaching page through the year as it will be updated …