At West Dean: The Creation of an Exemplary Garden

(Hardback)

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Description

'One of Britain's most exemplary centres of practical horticulture.' Robin Lane-Fox, Financial Times
'The kitchen garden has to be one of the most perfect examples of its kind.' Noel Kingsbury, The Telegraph

This is the story of how Sarah Wain and Jim Buckland wrestled back to life the neglected garden at West Dean, and a celebration of the gardening excellence they have established and passed on. West Dean gardens is part of the Edward James Foundation, and West Dean College is widely respected for Arts and Crafts education. A passionate early supporter of surrealism, Edward James features in two paintings by Magritte and was the original recipient of Salvador Dali's famous lobster telephone. The gardens at West Dean are defined by horticultural rigour and contemporary efficiencies against a Victorian backdrop. Super-tidy sheds, meticulously cared-for glasshouses and immaculately pruned fruit trees are enhanced by occasional surrealistic flourishes. Much of the garden's success is down to hard work and practical skills but this would be nothing without the artistic vision and thoughtful philosophy that Sarah Wain and Jim Buckland bring to support it.

The book is richly illustrated with specially commissioned photographs by award-winning garden photographer Andrea Jones. As well as glorious images of all aspects of the garden at its height through the seasons, there are shots of gardeners at work - pruning and tying in a climber, mowing, raking, labelling, washing things, stacking things. Finished jobs enhance the book - beautifully pruned trees, mown grass, wildflower grass, a pond in peak form, compost heaps, newly made walls, harvested produce and freshly topiarized shrubs. While West Dean is the starting point, The Art and Craft of Gardening at West Dean highlights the underlying principles that make for a successful garden in any set of circumstances, and will particularly interest gardeners who are planning renovation projects.

Reviews

'I am in awe of what Sarah Wain & Jim Buckland have achieved at West Dean and this superb book is a testament to inspired, uncompromising horticulture at its very best.' -- Monty Don
Robin Lane Fox 'a beacon of high standards...I have learned much fromitand found tips here for us all, proven by the couples years of hard work.' * Financial Times *
Jason Goodwin'the splendour of the great house...is [now] matched by its setting...The lesson from rebuilding West Dean gardens over the past 27 years might be summed up as Make Haste Slowly.' * Country Life *
'The lucid text...[is] an unsentimental account of hard-won practical experience.The photographs...are of unsurpassable quality and aptness' * Spectator *
'Sarah Wain and Jim Buckland share their 25-yearjourney, meticulous work and artistic vision that went into transforming this glorious garden... Illustratedwith stunning photography by Andrea Jones, the book provides inspiration and sound advice for all gardeners.' * Period Living *

Author Bio

Jim Buckland and Sarah Wain have gardened at West Dean for 25 years. They are regularly interviewed about their work at West Dean for the broadsheets and gardening press. Jim has appeared on BBC Gardeners World. Jim and Sarah are active on social media and between them have 4000 loyal and engaged followers on Twitter.