Essay on Gardening by Henk Gerritsen, reviewed by Catharine Howard
This review made me buy the book. It’s a real thinkingardens treat. But the cost on Amazon made me blench. Couldn’t find it cheaper. I ended up with the paperback at £27, with all the photos in black and white (see below). And I wanted to buy Site,...
Small gardens, anyone? Book Review by Susan Wright
Is this the book everyone wants? Small gardens? Anne Wareham, editor. New Small Garden reviewed by Susan Wright New Small Garden is Noel Kingsbury’s latest book. It’s a comprehensive guide to the “principles, planting and practice” of small...
More Monet from Paul Steer
Never imagine that a book review on thinkingardens will be boring. Or that it will only tell you about the book being reviewed. There’s usually more meat on the bone, just as there is with this one by Paul Steer, – an artist and NGS garden opener. Anne...
Old Fashioned? Review by Mark Laurence
One of the earliest books I bought was Beth Chatto’s ‘The Dry Garden’ (1978) – no idea why since I garden in the wet West. (I did buy ‘The Damp Garden’ too though.) Dry gardens are still her theme thirty eight years later. Wonder...
Plume Puzzle by Adam Hodge
Jardin Plume is one of those gardens which not long ago got featured everywhere. So when Charles Hawes was in France for the Chaumont Garden Festival he made a long trek to go and see it. And I waited for his response with eager anticipation. He was disappointed. (Is...
You may do unexpected things – a book review by James Golden
This looks like an unusually exciting book. (It’s on order..) I’m begining to wonder if America has all the best gardens now? Anne Wareham, editor A review of The Art of Gardening: Design Inspiration and Innovative Planting Techniques from Chanticleer by...
And the view from the UK by Mark Laurence
I think that ‘Planting’ is an important book, but I was also struck when I read James’ review that this was one of those times when the differences between the UK and America was quite significant. So I was very pleased when Mark Laurence offered...
Another lovely coffee table book: Monet’s Garden in Art reviewed by Paul Steer
Well, I’ve heard of quite a few people disappointed by Giverny. Maybe they’d do better to buy this book and enjoy renderings of the original garden on the page. Or not..? Anne Wareham, editor Colour is my day-long obsession, joy and torment. ~Claude Monet...
Re-imagining Nature – a review by James Golden of “Planting in A Post Wild World”
The beginning of this review will seems strange to many of our readers outside America, but don’t be put off. I think this book may be important for all serious garden thinkers. Or – does it echo themes which are already very familiar to UK...
Paradise Gardens by Toby Musgrave, reviewed by Tristan Gregory
Well, it’s getting near to Christmas and you’re still not sure what you want for Christmas. You have your own copy of Outwitting Squirrels and half a dozen extra copies for various stockings and for that emergency when someone gives you a totally...
Berchigranges Garden reviewed by Noel Kingsbury
Another garden review, and, as Noel says, also an opportunity for someone to get in there and wreck it..maybe take over. Anyone game? And is it the most beautiful garden in the world (apart from Veddw, of course)? And do you share Noel’s criteria for a special...
Fuller’s Mill – a review by Helen Seal
Garden reviews at their best raise interesting questions which take their interest beyond the immediate garden being reviewed. For me this review by Helen Seal had me wondering about that critical second visit – how much does it change our initial reactions? And...
Garden Magic by George Carter. Reviewed by Ann Hawkins
Here’s a garden designer I really admire and enjoy. This is his latest book, Garden Magic, reviewed by Ann Hawkins. Apologies for fuzzy pictures – you’ll just have to buy the book…or visit George Carter’s website) ...
Recent Posts from: Veddw
Ambivalence about Snowdrops
Well, I’m sorry, but I didn’t have a happy Christmas. We were both full of cough and were quite unwell. I have not recovered, and I find myself quite unable to write anything new. So I dipped into The Bad Tempered Gardener to offer you a piece on those plants which gardeners obsess about at this time […]
I’ve fallen in love with these.
I love my garden, I do. It’s at the heart of my life. But just recently I’ve been drawn back and back to a windowsill with some sweet dwarf pelargoniums.
Favour the Ferns
Many years ago The Financial Times sent me to do a feature on the RHS ‘Flower Show’ at Tatton Park . I was totally naïve and had no idea what I was supposed to do or to write about. So my excitement was tempered by acute anxiety. The term ‘imposter syndrome’ could have been invented for me. […]
Snowdrop mania is coming…
In the UK, right now, the horticultural world is about to drive us all mad with snowdrops. Pictures of. Articles about. Gardens with them. Anything people can think of to bash us over the head with snowdrops.
Brilliant Brecon
Recently we made a visit to Brecon. This is not far from us, in case anyone was getting over excited about the possibility that I might have been travelling again. It’s in Wales, in the Brecon Beacons, recently re-christened Bannau Brycheiniog.
