A word or two by the author Darren Lerigo

I am a gardener who specialises in topiary. By topiary, I mean any plant pruned to look good – in the eye of the beholder, anyway.

My exposure to pruning was through a summer job at 15, as a ground worker to tree surgeons. I then became a gardener, read the books and took the workshops of Jake Hobson at Niwaki, then mentored by Charlotte Molesworth, the Queen of Topiary.

25 years later and somehow I’m still doing my summer job. But I love the physical act of this work, to lose track of time as I make.

I am outside, working with my hands – the craft – but also accessing something positive – exercising an artistic side through topiary.

Through the physical nature of pruning, I have a conversation with myself, and I often discover what makes me laugh.

This book is for people keen on plants, who think the garden could be improved with judicious pruning.

Topiary is a creative act. Plants grow, and the positive option is to balance the craft with the art.

I hope this book helps make modern topiary. https://modernmint.co.uk/book/ 

Enjoy!

Darren