THE MODERN MINT BLOG
With the European Boxwood and Topiary Society, I run two workshops each year at Waltham Place, one of my favourite gardens.
The next topiary workshop there will be on Friday September 4th 2026.
Details and how to book yet to be announced, but get in touch with them now to get on the waiting list, as last year we had double the amount of people wanting a place than we had space for.
The Waltham Place website is here – topiary workshop 2026.
See the teaching page for how else I can help you with the topiary in your garden – a free video, a video you have to pay for, a book (I’m still formatting the book alright! I get you want it out and email me asking when, but it just takes forever to get the margins and stuff right and I’m busy actually making topiary so it gets put back… and back.. and back.. but it is coming! It is!) and an option for private tuition.
So if you can’t get to Waltham Place September 4th 2026 then see the Teaching page for more ideas how I can 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 …