The first two words that come to mind for this book are LUSCIOUS and RICH.
If I may borrow a line from the introduction, “the reality of the country and its seasons…” Everyone, every gardener, should take that sentence to heart. As Bridget Elworthy and Henrietta Courtauld, authors and owners of The Land Gardeners, write, “This is a story over a visual diary of all we have learned. The goal is not perfection, but rather a garden full of life.” It is a brilliant story with gasp-worthy coincidence and terrific outcomes.
Befitting of a British manor, the tale is rich with history. What began as a nunnery in about 1665 became Wardington Manor. The second Lady Wardington, Audrey, advised The Land Gardeners on the history of the manor’s gardens. The Ladies Wardington I and II grew flowers for fancy flower shops in London. In 2009, it became the home of Bridget and her family. Alas, it just happens to have a magical “walled” Victorian garden – perfect for growing cut flowers – used today in those same London flower shops.
Oh yes, more history! The Land Gardeners. Their name is a tip of the hat to the Land Girls of Britain of WW I and WW II, the thousands of women who volunteered or were conscripted to work the farms and dairies of England, keeping the country fed during the dire times of war. This thought stands out: “We always strive to give a garden a purpose, particularly a productive purpose – a place where you can gather herbs, fruits, flowers, and vegetables.” These are powerful words for any gardener. I’ve taken them to heart.
The collages and mood boards are gorgeous and inspirational. (Note to self: Make one for the garden every month of the year). What is the backstory of Shane Connolly, the florist to the Queen and now the King of England, requesting “gold flowers” for a state dinner? He got buttercups. I would LOVE to see a picture of the buttercups at that dinner.
Besides growing the flowers, though, Bridget and Henrietta emphasize the importance of soil health. They are emphatic about the soil and share their recipes for liquid feeds and green manures. In their spare time, they specialize in walled, historic gardens. (Why, yes! I just had my soil tested after reading their story.)
But back to the growing of flowers and hedges and shrubbery. The sections are for gathering, preparing the cut flowers, and potting up plants for arrangements. Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter have their own “To do” lists and “To gather” (harvest) lists. You will pour over the photo “catalogs” of the most important plants: roses, peonies, dahlias, bulbs and corms, tulips, annuals, biennials, perennials, foliage plants, climbers, trees and shrubs. Many of their choices are now on my “must haves” list for next year.
This would be the perfect book for a fireplace read as winter approaches. Keep your notepad at hand, and dig in.
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The Land Gardeners: CUT FLOWERS
by Bridget Elworthy & Henrietta Courtauld
Thames & Hudson
256 pages/$34.95
