THE MODERN MINT BLOG
Yesterday I put out the book – Modern Topiary – that I have spent the last six years writing.
Download for free a pdf of Modern Topiary here.
And what seems amazing to me, is that not only have people actually been reading it, but then responding to it. So below are a number of comments I have been sent from those who read it last night, and this morning….
“Brilliant read, exactly the right amount of info to take in and digest.” Rachel, a gardener
“I love your book, the advice is so straightforward and your writing is so fresh and light-hearted!” Sally, keen gardener, Australia
“Just finished reading – absolutely brilliant!” Camilla (she shared with me lots she highlighted)
“This is, and I mean this as praise, a very unusual book. It’s specific enough to be used as a “how-to” guide by an aspiring topiary artist, yet general enoughto be picked up by a non-gardener, and enjoyed for the structure, style and joy of language and ideas. It offers technical advice, while also being abstract enough that many of its lessons could be applied to other creative disciplines such as writing, painting, directing etc.” Philip, non-gardener!
“There’s a lot of useful information!” Elizabeth, a gardener
“I’m using it like a Bible.” Tim, a tree surgeon
“Love the illustrations!” Hannah, garden designer
“Fascinating and practical read.” Paul, keen home gardener
And the below, from Liam. A former teacher…
Haha I love that! He did also say…
“For me, who doesn’t have any real knowledge of gardening, it placed me in a calm state of mind. I could honestly feel how you must feel when you lose yourself in the work. The book highlights the artistic, and is brilliantly accessible.”
“I loved the book, to the point and very insistent on the act of creation, truly what anyone would need when setting off.” Bernt, gardener (in Norway!)
“Your book is stuffed with useful tips.” Elizabeth, editor of Topiarius magazine
For free, download Modern Topiary on this page and read it for yourself. Whether a gardener, or just someone with a passing interest…
Why I Wrote The Book Modern Topiary
I have written this book, Modern Topiary, because I wanted a collation of useful information that would give people access to everything they need to know in order to start making topiary. Topiary is an amazing (and niche) line of work to follow – amazing because it offers up opportunities to travel all over the world, making gardens, meeting people… but also, the work is intensely physical, hands-on, yet requires creative thinking in order to solve the puzzle of how to make the shapes you want. This mixture of the craft and the art is what I love the most …
Buxus the Norfolk Terrier In Modern Topiary Book
This is Buxus, our Norfolk Terrier, who I acknowledge in the acknowledgments of the book of Modern Topiary. The book of Modern Topiary can be read, for free, here. There you go. Buxus the dog on ‘doorstep duty’ at a friend’s house in Edinburgh. For those asking what he looked like!
Modern Topiary Book
Over the last six years I have been writing a book. It is called Modern Topiary and I have finally finished it, and now made it available for people to read. This is the blurb on the back…. This is the topiary book I wish I had when I began trying to clip plants into a shape others would consider beautiful. Split into two parts – the craft and then the art of topiary – I have tried to share everything I know. It’s not a long book. I hope this gives you the foundation for good technique, alongside ideas …