Suzanne Albinson on Alnwick Gardens
“….However, to earn the right to be called the most innovative, contemporary British garden of the twenty-first century Alnwick Gardens need to step it up a notch..”
Parks, Plants and People by Lynden B Miller
Reviewed by Michelle Chapman.
“Often authors are urged to write about what they know and Miller has exploited this strength. However, it’s also the book’s weakness….”
Gardens of Divine Imitation by Bella D’Arcy, reviewed by Charles Hawes
Reviewed by Charles Hawes.
“In this context I really couldn’t be doing with the pages of her description of what her imaginary visitors to this imaginary garden might have encountered…”
Fundacion Cesar Manrique – El Taro de Tahiche by Lesley Hegarty
“..the front garden had the same palm trees, randomly planted aloes, prickly pears and candelabra Euphorbias which give a lot of Lanzarote that half wild, half cultivated look…”
The Garden Visitor’s Companion by Louisa Jones
Reviewed by Chris Young.
“The author’s aim is to get the reader thinking, questioning what they see, and how they see it….”
Avant Gardeners: 50 visionaries of the Contemporary Landscape by Tim Richardson
Reviewed by Bridget Rosewell.
“…..Moreover, it is not obvious how these ideas relate to conceptual gardens, though they would certainly give apoplexy to those who believe that gardens are about nice plants.”
The Garden Magazine Market is Skewed
A review of garden magazines by Matthew Appleby.
Poundbury comes to Hanham Court
“Hanham Court gardens are our horticultural equivalent of Poundbury, indulging the endless British pleasure in nostalgia.”
Coton Manor Garden reviewed by Anne Wareham
“…the finest garden in the East Midlands” – Good Gardens Guide
“…This garden is the horticultural equivalent of a Vettriano picture. If you think those are lovely you may well think Coton Manor garden is too. Nice teas.”
Little Sparta by Tim Richardson
by Tim Richardson.
“….we are reminded of Finlay’s dictum: “Embark on a garden with a vision but never with a plan….”
Sissinghurst – BBC4 reviewed by Darryl Moore
“Ultimately the over-egged, warts-and-all approach to the fractious situation failed to be convincing….”
Gardener’s World – 3rd April 2009
thinkinGardens asked Matthew Appleby to review Gardener’s World.
“Trendy efforts such as fast cuts and (2007 vintage) Kate Nash music does not stop the show being one presented by a middle-aged man in a red anorak with a bald spot (on his head, not the coat).”
How to make your garden grow by Toby Buckland
Reviewed by Matthew Appleby.
“Buckland denies there have been revisions other than cosmetic changes with pictures and design, including alteration of page order. He says he has been “trying to wean” himself off peat for four years.”
The Green Garden Expert by Dr D G Hessayon
Reviewed by Matthew Appleby.
“….He’s the scientist and his advice was accepted and acceptable at the time. But this book attempts to rewrite history. A leopard can’t change its spots.”
Recent Posts from: Veddw
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.
You should have been here Next Year
Charles made a complaint recently when we were walking in the garden.
When I complained about him complaining he told me that it was good for me to have complaints about the planting.
