Colour for Adventurous Gardeners [Hardcover]

Author of Colour for Adventurous Gardeners, Christopher Lloyd has at his disposal a long lifetime of expertise as a plantsman, an engaging, occasionally acerbic prose style and a beautiful and important garden at Great Dixter in East Sussex. He is also profoundly aware of the importance of tradition in gardening, yet in the way of those who have mastered their difficult craft is able to throw out without a qualm received ideas that have been sanctioned by the practice of generations. The title of Colour for Adventurous Gardeners signals its provocative thesis: that boldness and contrast are as effective in the garden as harmony and theming. "Given the right circumstances", writes Lloyd, "I believe that every colour can be successfully used with any other." Colour in itself is dealt with less frequently than one might expect by other gardening writers, but here Christopher Lloyd explores the subject with great thoroughness. Indeed, he devotes a whole chapter (there are 11 in all) to each of the main garden colours: red, orange, mauve, the many blues, pink, white and (of course) green. He even tackles the more enigmatic and difficult brown and black. Important and significant plants within each are described, with due emphasis given to form, habit and structure. A beautiful colour may be let down by a short flowering season or clumsy shape. Contrasts of hue and texture are everywhere informed by Lloyd's eclectic but impeccable eye and vast knowledge. Jonathan Buckley's beautiful photographs, mostly taken in Lloyd's own garden, are an inspiration in themselves. This really is quite a remarkable and unusual book, though no less than one would expect. --Robin Davidson

A compelling blend of humour and knowledgeable observation, gained from a lifetime of gardening

...makes a visually stunning and informative read for gardening enthusiasts everywhere.

Opinionated, controversial and the most colourful book on plant associations ever written.

This book on gardening with colour by its most adventurous exponent Christopher Lloyd OBE - is now available in paperback as well as hardback.

With a chapter on every colour from 'Challenging Orange' to 'Sophisticated Black', Lloyd explores each colour in relation to others and discusses the rules in order to encourage the gardener to break them.

If a colour is 'polite', Lloyd certainly knows how to liven it up without making it vulgar. In an all-white border, he advocates a touch of clear pink to make you sit up; he suggests bright scarlet rose hips in a purple bed to introduce a note of rebellion.

Stunning photographs by Jonathan Buckley enhance this superb collection of colour combinations.

Colour for Adventurous Gardeners is opinionated, controversial and the most colourful book on plant associations ever written.

Christopher Lloyd OBE VMH devoted his life to creating, and writing about, his garden at Great Dixter, which is one of the most exciting and constantly changing gardens of our time. He always captivated readers and audiences with his adventurous and witty approach to his subject. He was the subject of a BBC documentary entitled 'Gardener Provocateur', made after his death in 2006. His best-selling books include Succession Planting for Adventurous Gardeners, as well as a string of other gardening classics such as The Well-Tempered Garden and a tour de force of Meadows. He wrote regularly for magazines and newspapers, including Country Life, American Horticulture and the Guardian.

You will sometimes (especially in Scotland in summer) see a small front garden that is literally packed with every colour under the sun, except, most likely, for grey (plenty of grey skies without that). It is wholly undigested and yet it is exuberant; it is full of joy, and that’s a feeling that immediately communicates. ‘What fun they’ve had!’ you exclaim, even though you cannot approve the result. Probably the ingredients are all usable by yourself but, for one thing, you need larger patches as well as dots. Then you need quieter plants to set off the bright. But out-and-out disapproval of that psychedelic garden, a closing of the eyes while turning your head aside and whispering ‘oh dear!’, is merely to expose your priggishness and how you have missed out on the gutsy side of gardening.

Given the right circumstance, I believe that every colour can be successfully used with any other and that is the message I hope to convey.