THE MODERN MINT BLOG
Walk in the Woods
During the month of May the Tree Council are promoting ‘Walk in the Woods’ – encouraging people to go out and enjoy trees and woodlands across the UK (you have the time to do this too… remember, there is a bank holiday on Monday!)
The Tree Council are a great charity and Modern Mint are proud to support them. Director Darren Lerigo is even a tree warden for St Andrew’s ward in Chelmsford!
“We have such a diverse treescape in the UK but we don’t always appreciate how fortunate we are” said Pauline Buchanan Black, Director-General of The Tree Council.
So see for yourself the difference trees make – put your walking shoes on in May and go for a walk in the woods.
More about Trees…
The Secret Life of Trees: How They Live and Why They Matter (Penguin Press Science)
New Topiary In South London Out Of Yew
Making a new topiary out of the large, dull facade of a Taxus blob… My work was to change it up from a ‘jelly drop’ shape and give it texture, open it out and let the light through, and make it a sculptural feature in the background of the garden in summer… yet a major part of the garden in winter. A few more years before it becomes something special, but there was far more leaf and growth inside the plant than I thought and so it will not take too long for it to gain in character and become …
Topiary Teacher – Put on The Spot!
Two weeks ago I was invited to teach topiary at the garden of Griselda Kerr, the author of The Apprehensive Gardener. I love teaching and sharing skills, but I was placed on the spot in the afternoon and asked to show how I would make a new topiary from an existing shrub. So below is a speeded-up video of me creating a cloud-pruned topiary from an old boxwood tree. I particularly love the ending when the class get involved….! See the video here. One hour was all it took, and though it needed a little tidying-up, it was made by …
Book Yourself A Topiary Workshop 2022
Charlotte Molesworth, my topiary mentor, and I are running our popular topiary workshop again in 2022. You can email me for details – or go here for information, your ticket and to find out about dates. Book A Spot On A Topiary Workshop, September 2022