Beth Chatto's Shade Garden: Shade-Loving Plants for Year-Round Interest

(Hardback)

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Description

First published as Beth Chatto's Woodland Garden by Cassell in 2002, this Pimpernel Classic edition includes a new chapter by David Ward, Head Gardener at Beth Chatto's Gardens; new photography by Steven Wooster and a new introduction by Beth Chatto. 'Most gardens have dark areas - a north-facing border, an area shaded by a hedge, fence or house wall, a bed in the shade cast by shrubs or trees with greedy roots - and for many gardeners these are a challenge, and often a trial. Fortunately there are plants adapted by Nature to a vast range of conditions and, by choosing suitable plants, we can transform almost any problem site into something beautiful.' In this book legendary plantswoman Beth Chatto shows how the problem of shade in a garden can be turned to advantage. She tells how she transformed a dark, derelict site into a woodland garden that is tranquil and serene yet full of life and interest in every season. She describes, too, a wealth of plants that will thrive in shady beds and borders and on walls.

Reviews

"One of [Beth Chatto's] key books has been reissued in a splendidly illustrated new edition." -- David Sexton * Evening Standard *
"An updated version of a modern classic. Full of timeless wisdom that will stand any gardener in good stead, it is perhaps the ultimate guide to gardening in the shade...Describing her woodland garden as 'tranquil and yet full of life and interest' this description also perfectly sums up the book." * The English Garden *
"As one would expect from Beth Chatto, this book is packed with knowledge, wisdom and common sense. Her guiding principle has always been the right plant for the right place, bringing about a quiet revolution in the gardening world. The writing style is stimulating and personal, her plant descriptions eloquent. Photography for the book is from Steven Wooster, a garden photographer and a graphic designer who won the Garden Media Guild Award for his photographs in Beth Chatto's Gravel Garden. He has been photographing Beth's garden for more than 20 years and his intimate knowledge of the garden gives the reader a beautiful insight into this special place." * The Reckless Gardener *
"This book is great for anyone who has a shady area that they're a bit stumped with or just for a good old interesting read that fills you with a rosy glow of well-being. It would make a great gift." * A Pentland Garden Diary *

Author Bio

Beth Chatto was born in 1923. Her influence as a gardener and plantswoman extends worldwide. Her guiding principle has always been the right plant for the right place. If this hardly sounds radical today, it is largely thanks to her work - when she first put her principle publicly into practice at her Unusual Plants stand at the Chelsea Flower Show in 1977 she brought about a quiet revolution in the gardening world. As well as creating her garden and nursery at Elmstead Market in Essex, she has written gardening classics including The Dry Garden, The Damp Garden, The Green Tapestry and Beth Chatto's Gravel Garden. She was created OBE in 2002 and also holds the Royal Horticultural Society's Victoria Medal of Honour.