In this engaging and fascinating exchange of personal letters, two of
the most influential gardeners of all time compare notes on successes
and failures in their two very different gardens.
As Christopher Lloyd and Beth Chatto convey their gardening
experiences, share gossip and discuss life and nature, the
horticultural expertise of these two long-established friends and
distinguished gardeners gives these inspirational letters a life of
their own.
Beth Chatto's garden in East Anglia is a place of pilgrimage for plant
lovers, while Christopher Lloyd was one of the major figures in
twentieth century gardening, transforming the gardens of his home Great
Dixter in East Sussex.
Friday 16 February
Dear Beth,
Today was straight out of my idea of heaven - the first such day this
year and the first time that all the winter crocuses have opened wide,
in appreciation. Armed with my kneeling pad, I dropped to my knees to
savour the honey scent of C. chrysanthus 'Snow Bunting'. Rosemary
Alexander, who spends more and more time at Stoneacre (the National
Trust property near Maidstone, which she rents), expressed doubts on
whether it wouldn't be better to concentrate on snowdrops, seeing that
crocuses spend so much of their time in an obstinately closed state,
loudly proclaiming 'this isn't good enough for me'. I can see her point,
of course. [...]
Tuesday 20 February
Dear Christo,
What a good thing you enjoyed your crocuses when you had the chance!
Today we are blanketed in snow once more, with a wild north wind hurling
stinging dry snow horizontally past the windows. Your way of having
crocuses (and many other bulbs) naturalized in short grass is a far more
effective way of growing them than in conventional borders. Left to seed
themselves in little knots and ribbons of colour they appear like
embroidery across a carpet before something else takes over the design.
[...]
