When I’m not at the drawing board you will find me with my head stuck in a book. If it’s remotely fine and I have time, I’ll be in the garden with a book and a beverage, and surely wood burning stoves were invented for curling up beside in winter with a volume or three?
A garden book makes a thoughtful Christmas present for the gardener, but building up a store of favourites is a worthwhile thing to do for yourself too. This week I’d like to share a few old friends with you – the books I pick up again and again, the writers whose words strike a chord and offer comfort, cheer and food for thought, although they may have been written decades ago. Much more than ‘how-to’ books, these are classics that stand the test of time and will deepen and enrich the gardener’s knowledge in many ways.
Christopher Lloyd’s ‘The Well-Tempered Garden’ should be on every shelf – decades of garden wisdom and observation, of human beings as well as plants, combined with his famous wit and occasional delightful grumpiness.
Ireland’s own Helen Dillon On Gardening is another classic – insights into the making of her world famous Dublin garden, delivered in her warm and chatty style with inspiration and lessons learned.
For poetry lovers, Vita Sackville West’s ‘The Garden’ is worth seeking out – written during the Second World War and first published in 1946, has ‘in it much more than mere gardening’, as the celebrated writer said – ‘all my beliefs and unbeliefs’.
Monty Don is such a gifted writer he could make a shopping list interesting , and you’ll find many of his books available locally and online from Galway bookstores. Certain passages in ‘The Ivington Diaries’ will bring a tear to your eye if you have a shred of poetry in your soul. ‘The Jewel Garden’, co-authored with his wife Sarah, (and the only book in this list with pictures ) is searingly honest about his struggles with mental health, published long before it was fashionable to talk openly about it, let alone in print.
If you have a chance to spend some time with any of these, I hope they bring a little joy to your heart – and keep it in the garden - until spring returns!
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Let a good garden book bring a smile to your face this winter!
Anne Byrne Garden Design provides easy to follow Garden Plans that you can implement right away or in stages. Anne’s design flair and passion for plants brings a touch of magic to gardens of all sizes.
Anne Byrne Garden Design – Creative Ideas – Practical Solutions – Stunning Gardens
T: 086 683 8098 E: [email protected] www.annebyrnegardendesign.com
