In this exchange of personal letters two of Britain's leading gardeners - Christopher Lloyd and Beth Chatto - share their successes and failures, and learn from each other's experiences in their two very different gardens.
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... a delightful collection of letters ... offers a unique insight into their successes and failures. Candid, amusing, revealing and informative
(Daily Telegraph )My favourite read of the year is this entertaining correspondence between our two greatest living gardeners
(Sunday Telegraph Magazine )What links and distinguishes (in both senses) these two writers is that they never pass on a received opinion about a plant or gardening practice or theory. Everything they say is rooted firmly in observation and experience so their thoughts and opinions carry weight and value
(Hardy Plant )It is this book, I suspect, that many gardeners would most like to find at the ends of their beds when they wake up on Christmas morning
(Independent on Sunday )From the Publisher
Recent reviews for DEAR FRIEND AND GARDENER
"essential bedside reading for any keen gardener" Alan Titchmarsh "Dip into any page : the writers' vitality and sparkle is immediately captivating. As is the eclectic wealth of gardening information....filled with insight, compassion and gentle English humour, this is the book to curl up with in front of the fire..You'll be in excellent company..." RHS The Garden "beguiling, informative and..instructive ; a source of joy and an excellent present - not just for gardeners but for anyone who has ever looked with love and longing at the view from their window". House and Garden
"essential bedside reading for any keen gardener" Alan Titchmarsh "Dip into any page : the writers' vitality and sparkle is immediately captivating. As is the eclectic wealth of gardening information....filled with insight, compassion and gentle English humour, this is the book to curl up with in front of the fire..You'll be in excellent company..." RHS The Garden "beguiling, informative and..instructive ; a source of joy and an excellent present - not just for gardeners but for anyone who has ever looked with love and longing at the view from their window". House and Garden
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First Sentence
I'm just getting over flu. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
I'm just getting over flu. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
I am only half way through this book, but I have no reservation in recommending it. It's a book to dip in and out of, to pick up and read for a short break from the daily grind. It is amusing and informative.
The book contains a collection of letters exchanged between Beth & Christopher over the course of a year. The letters are about their lives in relation to their gardens and contain details of outings and visits to other gardens and countryside, as well as their day to day gardening activities, and what is in flower as they write. They exchange views on different plants, planting combinations and on the shared experience of running a garden that is reknowned and open to the public. Through their letters we are given a glimpse into their lives,their friendship and their opinions, and their quest for beauty and colour in the garden throughout the year.
My only critism is that unless you are a very learned gardener, some of the latin plant names may be outside your knowledge and therefore some of the planting combinations will be a mystery to you. However, this is encouraging me to try and find out the plants common names and appearance.
In the words of my friend who gave me this book as a present, "the title says it all".
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
The title of this book,'Dear Friend and Gardener' should immediately alert the reader to its logical content. 'Social: They were like - minded people enjoying each other's company and 'Horticultural'. For any keen gardener or anyone wishing to become one, it is a 'MUST' to be given to charity only when one knows as much as its authors. True, I am only part-way through, but after the first 4/5 letters I felt a need to thank them. Sadly Christopher Lloyd has recently died. The comments made by each, are first and foremost, about the beauty THEY see in the form and colour of plants and the 'planting -artistry' they both appreciated. The highs and lows of their work, so vulnerable to the elements, are treated with a shared humour with which the reader could easily identify; The artist within them, appreciated equally, 'singers and actors' whether on a stage, or in the form of flowers on a garden hillside. I doubt if many would think to stop to admire 'snow flowers' i.e. snow, settled on top of flattish heads of plants and, have the ability to 'take in' their suggested form perhaps for re-use in another way later on in gardens they have made for all to wander through and be refreshed. Above all, their words have already taught me that after 70+ years of (I called it gardening) I actually know very, very little. Finally, I suggest a look at the index pages will point the reader to a page where it does not just say (e.g.) 'Crocus': Yellow, Opening early spring! NO, instead, it tells of a tiny blush or a line or a colour, deep in its base; where it is growing, and whether or not it is doing well. Without exception each plant is given the same loving and minute attention. I suggest any keen gardener will do well to treat this most informative book, similarly.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. M. Sands
Format:Hardcover
This is a real feel good book. If you are a fan of either Beth Chatto or Christopher Lloyd you must read it. It gives an insight to the wonderful friendship between the two and their different styles of gardning.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Damaged item!
Book arrived in package in an opened state! Glue all over the front cover and corner of book bashed. Read more
Published 3 months ago by beantree2001
5.0 out of 5 stars
The book entitled -Dear Friend and Gardener
Delighted with the book, it was a present for a friend who loves gardening and thought she would like it for a rainy day read.
Published 14 months ago by Mrs. Vivienne Hoare
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dear Friend and Gardener: Letters on Life and Gardening
I bought two copies of this book - both second hand and one signed by Beth Chatto. The latter was for a present and the recipient was delighted. Read more
Published 21 months ago by JoJo
5.0 out of 5 stars
book review
excellent book. chatty and funny. informative without being overbearing.
the personalities of beth chatto and christopher lloyd shine through.
the personalities of beth chatto and christopher lloyd shine through.
Published on 27 Nov 2009 by S. L. Tappenden
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gardening Friends
I've heard about this book at the GARDEN BLOGGER'S BOOK CLUB.
This is a collection of letters between two english gardener friends, Beth Chatto and Christopher Lloyd in... Read more
This is a collection of letters between two english gardener friends, Beth Chatto and Christopher Lloyd in... Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2008 by JOSE SANTOS
2.0 out of 5 stars
Diary between two gardeners
I looked forward to reading this book, but after a short while found it somewhat boring.I am a very keen gardener and was eager to learn more from their letters, however I felt as... Read more
Published on 13 Aug 2002 by Jane
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