D. G. Hessayon (1928–2025)

No matter how specific or how general the gardening book is, after a while all gardening books begin to look the same...
and then, there is this one!
This is more a 'book about gardening' than a 'gardening book' if that makes sense?
Many people who garden will say that they do so as a hobby. Well then, this is a hobbyist book; and at well over 200 pages it is quite a chunky tome too. But, fear not; the layout is the first thing that caught my eye! It is more akin to a gigantic gardening show more magazine; with so many varied and interesting articles that you will be hard pressed not to find something interesting to read when you have a spare moment or two. That is why I also class this as a 'coffee table book' because it is perfect book to leave in such an easily accessible location as it is bound to be picked up frequently enough to warrant it.

In it, you can read about the key players who have made the biggest names for themselves in the gardening hall of fame. names you will hear being thrown into conversation during those gardening programmes on radio and television. Names such as Gertrude Jekyll (The First Lady of Gardening), Capability Brown and The Rothchilds for example.

There is a very interesting section on different plants - not every single type! That would be too stuffy. Remember this is a magazine format so the aim is not to bore the reader! Instead, you can read about 'Air plants' - you know, those half shrivelled things they sell hot glued to a piece of shell or tree bark. Or, how about carnivorous plants? If those do not take your fancy, then there is a full page on the Bird of Paradise plant, for example. Each subject is presented on a full page or two with beautiful illustrations and photographs to feed your eyes.

How about a quick tour of some of the major gardens themselves: Blenheim, Wisley and Kew for example (there are many others listed here too).

Under the chapter titled 'Looking Back' you can rediscover the Hanging Garden's of Babylon [Fact or Fiction?], find out all about 'Tulip Mania', The start of the 'Dear Sir' reader's pages of 19th Century magazines; or better still - The shocking story of Gerard's Herball - a tale full of scandal and intrigue! See, I told you this was like reading a magazine.

Then we get to the Wildlife section: covering amoung other things 'The Secret Life of the Garden Earthworm' and 'Urban Foxes'.

Next comes a chapter on things to do indoors. Wait! don't stop reading now! I don't mean the typical chapter on house plants! Not at all! Here you can find out how to grow your own cake decorations, how to skeletonise leaves, make nettle soup; or even dandelion coffee!

Finally, what self respecting magazine/book thing would be complete without a quiz or two.

There is much more besides!
Take my word; this is a gardening book like no other, and well worth owning! show less

This is an interesting look at how to adapt your garden to your life and to ensure that you have what you want out of it, how to fix problems and how to make your garden a place you want to visit.

He goes into detail, and lists problems and ideas, as well as design advice. It's a book I may come back to again for further ideas as we work on our garden.

This is a very clearly laid out book with lots of useful information. Unfortunately I do not have the green fingers needed to put the theory into practice.

This book provided interesting bedtime reading for a number of weeks. Full of obscure facts, myth busting, hints, tips and even recommendations for garden visits, amongst many other things. This is a book any avid gardener will enjoy!