Leaves from the Garden: Two Centuries of Garden Writing

Since the beginning of the nineteenth century, Britain has seen the emergence of a gardening style that is the envy of the world. This book charts the progress of that style through the writing of its greatest exponents; it is an anthology to dip into and to enjoy. The writing has been selected above all for its readability, its enthusiasm, and its practical advice. Over fifty gardeners are included, from Humphry Repton in 1795 to young professionals today. Among them are all the familiar figures such as Gertrude Jekyll, William Robinson, and Vita Sackville West, and also, perhaps more surprisingly, H.E. Bates, George Sitwell, and the great plantsmen from the turn of the century whose work until now could only be found in dusty volumes of old periodicals. The range and quality of writing makes Leaves from the Garden an indispensable companion for all gardeners.