A book to savour, 26 Sep 2008
This book is a delight (as is the garden in real life) The author is knowledgeable and paints the most vivid pictures. It is a book about the area of Shropshire she lives in, how it has evolved through the centuries, the house and garden and her sensitive reconstruction of it. She is a lady after my own heart with interests such as history, gardens, cats, flowers, geology, weather....it is so well written, I highly recommend it.

A perfect book, 26 Aug 2008
This book is about far more than 'the story of a garden'. For me, it is that rare thing, a book that I did not want to put down and will certainly read again. It is written in such elegant prose with no superfluity almost to the point of self-effacement. The author's knowledge of so many diverse things is a constant delight to encounter. It is about gardening; about astronomy; about the roots of words and language; about the history of Morville and its environs; about the author's place amongst all this and so much more. I read as slowly as I could, not only to savour the text fully but so as to be able to go on sharing Dr.Swift's life and times in rural Shropshire for as long as possible.

Evocative writing, 20 Jun 2008
I'm something of an armchair gardener - all the pleasure and none of the work - and this book satisfied my liking to read about beautiful gardens. Its chapters are titled according to the monastic hours, echoing the house's monastic past. The author created a dreamlike garden out of a field beside her Shropshire house. The book is a description of the genesis of that garden with digressions into history, herbalism, religion and the uses and growing habits of the plants she seeks to cultivate. The writing is brilliantly clear and the garden comes to life as you read. There are line drawings in the style of illustrations from a medieval book of hours, though no photographs, together with a plan of the layout of the garden This is a book to be enjoyed by anyone who has an interest in gardening, history or the spirit of human endeavour. To create such a magnificent garden is truly a labour of love

A book to savour, 26 Sep 2008
This book is a delight (as is the garden in real life) The author is knowledgeable and paints the most vivid pictures. It is a book about the area of Shropshire she lives in, how it has evolved through the centuries, the house and garden and her sensitive reconstruction of it. She is a lady after my own heart with interests such as history, gardens, cats, flowers, geology, weather....it is so well written, I highly recommend it.

A perfect book, 26 Aug 2008
This book is about far more than 'the story of a garden'. For me, it is that rare thing, a book that I did not want to put down and will certainly read again. It is written in such elegant prose with no superfluity almost to the point of self-effacement. The author's knowledge of so many diverse things is a constant delight to encounter. It is about gardening; about astronomy; about the roots of words and language; about the history of Morville and its environs; about the author's place amongst all this and so much more. I read as slowly as I could, not only to savour the text fully but so as to be able to go on sharing Dr.Swift's life and times in rural Shropshire for as long as possible.

Evocative writing, 20 Jun 2008
I'm something of an armchair gardener - all the pleasure and none of the work - and this book satisfied my liking to read about beautiful gardens. Its chapters are titled according to the monastic hours, echoing the house's monastic past. The author created a dreamlike garden out of a field beside her Shropshire house. The book is a description of the genesis of that garden with digressions into history, herbalism, religion and the uses and growing habits of the plants she seeks to cultivate. The writing is brilliantly clear and the garden comes to life as you read. There are line drawings in the style of illustrations from a medieval book of hours, though no photographs, together with a plan of the layout of the garden This is a book to be enjoyed by anyone who has an interest in gardening, history or the spirit of human endeavour. To create such a magnificent garden is truly a labour of love

Best gardening book you can buy!, 21 Apr 2008
This is the best gardening book I have ever seen. I bought it as a gift for my parents but borrowed it so much I had to buy my own! And, who cares about the spelling!! (see Lord Manley review!)

Very thorough garden planning book, 06 Feb 2008
A good book for those planning a garden. It has special sections on commonly cultivated plants and sections on how to troubleshoot. I planned my garden using this and it was a great help.
Just a note that it's not really for:
- looking up a plant you've seen in a garden centre
- identifying a mysterious thing you've got in your inherited garden
If you want to do either of those, you need to use a different kind of book.

Encylopedia?, 21 Dec 2007
Whilst an excellent read, I am utterly befuddled as to how a bastion of Britishness such as the RHS could produce such a tome, filled, as it is, to the very gunnels with useful advice for any gardener, without managing the relatively simple accompanying feat of spelling the word encyclopaedia correctly.

Perhaps there is a new American royalty which has somehow escaped my attention?

Got a garden?, then buy this book, 11 Dec 2007
Got a garden? Then buy this book. Don't argue, just buy it! Every once in a while you encounter a book which is just head an shoulders above the others in its subject and this is one of those books.

Having this book is a little like having an experienced gardener over one fence who can give a kindly word when he sees you about to make an expensive mistake with the wrong plant or wrong treatment while at the same time over the opposite fence is an expert DIY fan who can tell you which tool to use and how to level your ground before constructing a patio. As others have said this is a book which will rapidly pay for itself simply because it can stop you making those mistakes.

Is there anything it won't do. Well obviously it can not be absolutely comprehensive. If you want to construct a zen garden it won't tell you the finer points of feng shui to know how to align the garden. Indeed any highly specific subjects it won't cover but for a single point of reference this is excellent. This is a book in the spirit of gardening before TV makeover programmes tried to tell people that ripping out all your top soil and putting down decking was gardening so while it won't bother with the fripperies of design it will deal with the practicalities and as others have said that will save you more than the cost of this book in avoiding expensive mistakes.

This is an absolute must buy for anyone who is into or who wants to be into gardening. I have used my previous copy for years and I would expect this new edition to last just as long. Look at it in that light and this is not an expensive book but it is an invaluable one.

One of the best encyclopedias and a gardening bestseller, 22 Nov 2007
Since its release, "RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has been flying off the shelves. It has been selling so well for good reasons: it is one of the most comprehensive and best encyclopedia. It covers almost everything that you need to know about gardening: garden design, basic botany, gardening techniques, organic gardening, container gardening, grafting and propagation, pests and diseases and weeds, tips on growing plants, fruits or vegetables, the latest trends and development on horticulture, effects of global warming, etc.

"RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has over 750 pages and many colour interior photographs. It is an indispensable reference book for both ordinary garden lovers and design professionals.

Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA

A book to savour, 26 Sep 2008
This book is a delight (as is the garden in real life) The author is knowledgeable and paints the most vivid pictures. It is a book about the area of Shropshire she lives in, how it has evolved through the centuries, the house and garden and her sensitive reconstruction of it. She is a lady after my own heart with interests such as history, gardens, cats, flowers, geology, weather....it is so well written, I highly recommend it.

A perfect book, 26 Aug 2008
This book is about far more than 'the story of a garden'. For me, it is that rare thing, a book that I did not want to put down and will certainly read again. It is written in such elegant prose with no superfluity almost to the point of self-effacement. The author's knowledge of so many diverse things is a constant delight to encounter. It is about gardening; about astronomy; about the roots of words and language; about the history of Morville and its environs; about the author's place amongst all this and so much more. I read as slowly as I could, not only to savour the text fully but so as to be able to go on sharing Dr.Swift's life and times in rural Shropshire for as long as possible.

Evocative writing, 20 Jun 2008
I'm something of an armchair gardener - all the pleasure and none of the work - and this book satisfied my liking to read about beautiful gardens. Its chapters are titled according to the monastic hours, echoing the house's monastic past. The author created a dreamlike garden out of a field beside her Shropshire house. The book is a description of the genesis of that garden with digressions into history, herbalism, religion and the uses and growing habits of the plants she seeks to cultivate. The writing is brilliantly clear and the garden comes to life as you read. There are line drawings in the style of illustrations from a medieval book of hours, though no photographs, together with a plan of the layout of the garden This is a book to be enjoyed by anyone who has an interest in gardening, history or the spirit of human endeavour. To create such a magnificent garden is truly a labour of love

Best gardening book you can buy!, 21 Apr 2008
This is the best gardening book I have ever seen. I bought it as a gift for my parents but borrowed it so much I had to buy my own! And, who cares about the spelling!! (see Lord Manley review!)

Very thorough garden planning book, 06 Feb 2008
A good book for those planning a garden. It has special sections on commonly cultivated plants and sections on how to troubleshoot. I planned my garden using this and it was a great help.
Just a note that it's not really for:
- looking up a plant you've seen in a garden centre
- identifying a mysterious thing you've got in your inherited garden
If you want to do either of those, you need to use a different kind of book.

Encylopedia?, 21 Dec 2007
Whilst an excellent read, I am utterly befuddled as to how a bastion of Britishness such as the RHS could produce such a tome, filled, as it is, to the very gunnels with useful advice for any gardener, without managing the relatively simple accompanying feat of spelling the word encyclopaedia correctly.

Perhaps there is a new American royalty which has somehow escaped my attention?

Got a garden?, then buy this book, 11 Dec 2007
Got a garden? Then buy this book. Don't argue, just buy it! Every once in a while you encounter a book which is just head an shoulders above the others in its subject and this is one of those books.

Having this book is a little like having an experienced gardener over one fence who can give a kindly word when he sees you about to make an expensive mistake with the wrong plant or wrong treatment while at the same time over the opposite fence is an expert DIY fan who can tell you which tool to use and how to level your ground before constructing a patio. As others have said this is a book which will rapidly pay for itself simply because it can stop you making those mistakes.

Is there anything it won't do. Well obviously it can not be absolutely comprehensive. If you want to construct a zen garden it won't tell you the finer points of feng shui to know how to align the garden. Indeed any highly specific subjects it won't cover but for a single point of reference this is excellent. This is a book in the spirit of gardening before TV makeover programmes tried to tell people that ripping out all your top soil and putting down decking was gardening so while it won't bother with the fripperies of design it will deal with the practicalities and as others have said that will save you more than the cost of this book in avoiding expensive mistakes.

This is an absolute must buy for anyone who is into or who wants to be into gardening. I have used my previous copy for years and I would expect this new edition to last just as long. Look at it in that light and this is not an expensive book but it is an invaluable one.

One of the best encyclopedias and a gardening bestseller, 22 Nov 2007
Since its release, "RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has been flying off the shelves. It has been selling so well for good reasons: it is one of the most comprehensive and best encyclopedia. It covers almost everything that you need to know about gardening: garden design, basic botany, gardening techniques, organic gardening, container gardening, grafting and propagation, pests and diseases and weeds, tips on growing plants, fruits or vegetables, the latest trends and development on horticulture, effects of global warming, etc.

"RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has over 750 pages and many colour interior photographs. It is an indispensable reference book for both ordinary garden lovers and design professionals.

Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA






A 250 YEAR CELEBRATION, 14 Nov 2008
Most people probably don't pick up a book after noting the publisher, but I invariably do if it's a Frances Lincoln book. Her titles are always beautifully done, enhanced with stunning photographs, full of information. Such is surely the case with The Gardens At Kew, a gorgeous celebration of Kew's 250 years.

In this beautiful volume the history of this remarkable place is traced, noting the development of what now comprises 300 acres of riverside land. While today we find it home to the Royal Botanic Gardens, it once held cottages, country house estates, and even poor pasture.

Among the royals who took a hand in the improvement of the grounds was Princess Caroline, the daughter-in-law of George I. She was an inveterate garden-maker who of course observed the fashion of her time - formal gardens. During her growing up years Europe was impressed by the work of gardener Andre Le Notre, largely responsible for the gardens at Versailles. She may well have felt his influence.

Eyes would have difficulty taking in all of the beauty at these Gardens today - there is The Lake, created by William Hooker in the late 1840s, amazing with four islands planted so that their autumn colors are reflected in the water. Another marvel is the Pagoda seen rising above the trees, and the Temples of Bellona and Aeolus designed by Sir William Chambers.

Some 304 pages hold not only 300 color illustrations but also archival photographs. Whether a weekend gardener or a serious student of landscape there is much to be enjoyed in The Gardens At Kew.

- Gail Cooke

A book to savour, 26 Sep 2008
This book is a delight (as is the garden in real life) The author is knowledgeable and paints the most vivid pictures. It is a book about the area of Shropshire she lives in, how it has evolved through the centuries, the house and garden and her sensitive reconstruction of it. She is a lady after my own heart with interests such as history, gardens, cats, flowers, geology, weather....it is so well written, I highly recommend it.

A perfect book, 26 Aug 2008
This book is about far more than 'the story of a garden'. For me, it is that rare thing, a book that I did not want to put down and will certainly read again. It is written in such elegant prose with no superfluity almost to the point of self-effacement. The author's knowledge of so many diverse things is a constant delight to encounter. It is about gardening; about astronomy; about the roots of words and language; about the history of Morville and its environs; about the author's place amongst all this and so much more. I read as slowly as I could, not only to savour the text fully but so as to be able to go on sharing Dr.Swift's life and times in rural Shropshire for as long as possible.

Evocative writing, 20 Jun 2008
I'm something of an armchair gardener - all the pleasure and none of the work - and this book satisfied my liking to read about beautiful gardens. Its chapters are titled according to the monastic hours, echoing the house's monastic past. The author created a dreamlike garden out of a field beside her Shropshire house. The book is a description of the genesis of that garden with digressions into history, herbalism, religion and the uses and growing habits of the plants she seeks to cultivate. The writing is brilliantly clear and the garden comes to life as you read. There are line drawings in the style of illustrations from a medieval book of hours, though no photographs, together with a plan of the layout of the garden This is a book to be enjoyed by anyone who has an interest in gardening, history or the spirit of human endeavour. To create such a magnificent garden is truly a labour of love

Best gardening book you can buy!, 21 Apr 2008
This is the best gardening book I have ever seen. I bought it as a gift for my parents but borrowed it so much I had to buy my own! And, who cares about the spelling!! (see Lord Manley review!)

Very thorough garden planning book, 06 Feb 2008
A good book for those planning a garden. It has special sections on commonly cultivated plants and sections on how to troubleshoot. I planned my garden using this and it was a great help.
Just a note that it's not really for:
- looking up a plant you've seen in a garden centre
- identifying a mysterious thing you've got in your inherited garden
If you want to do either of those, you need to use a different kind of book.

Encylopedia?, 21 Dec 2007
Whilst an excellent read, I am utterly befuddled as to how a bastion of Britishness such as the RHS could produce such a tome, filled, as it is, to the very gunnels with useful advice for any gardener, without managing the relatively simple accompanying feat of spelling the word encyclopaedia correctly.

Perhaps there is a new American royalty which has somehow escaped my attention?

Got a garden?, then buy this book, 11 Dec 2007
Got a garden? Then buy this book. Don't argue, just buy it! Every once in a while you encounter a book which is just head an shoulders above the others in its subject and this is one of those books.

Having this book is a little like having an experienced gardener over one fence who can give a kindly word when he sees you about to make an expensive mistake with the wrong plant or wrong treatment while at the same time over the opposite fence is an expert DIY fan who can tell you which tool to use and how to level your ground before constructing a patio. As others have said this is a book which will rapidly pay for itself simply because it can stop you making those mistakes.

Is there anything it won't do. Well obviously it can not be absolutely comprehensive. If you want to construct a zen garden it won't tell you the finer points of feng shui to know how to align the garden. Indeed any highly specific subjects it won't cover but for a single point of reference this is excellent. This is a book in the spirit of gardening before TV makeover programmes tried to tell people that ripping out all your top soil and putting down decking was gardening so while it won't bother with the fripperies of design it will deal with the practicalities and as others have said that will save you more than the cost of this book in avoiding expensive mistakes.

This is an absolute must buy for anyone who is into or who wants to be into gardening. I have used my previous copy for years and I would expect this new edition to last just as long. Look at it in that light and this is not an expensive book but it is an invaluable one.

One of the best encyclopedias and a gardening bestseller, 22 Nov 2007
Since its release, "RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has been flying off the shelves. It has been selling so well for good reasons: it is one of the most comprehensive and best encyclopedia. It covers almost everything that you need to know about gardening: garden design, basic botany, gardening techniques, organic gardening, container gardening, grafting and propagation, pests and diseases and weeds, tips on growing plants, fruits or vegetables, the latest trends and development on horticulture, effects of global warming, etc.

"RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has over 750 pages and many colour interior photographs. It is an indispensable reference book for both ordinary garden lovers and design professionals.

Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA






A 250 YEAR CELEBRATION, 14 Nov 2008
Most people probably don't pick up a book after noting the publisher, but I invariably do if it's a Frances Lincoln book. Her titles are always beautifully done, enhanced with stunning photographs, full of information. Such is surely the case with The Gardens At Kew, a gorgeous celebration of Kew's 250 years.

In this beautiful volume the history of this remarkable place is traced, noting the development of what now comprises 300 acres of riverside land. While today we find it home to the Royal Botanic Gardens, it once held cottages, country house estates, and even poor pasture.

Among the royals who took a hand in the improvement of the grounds was Princess Caroline, the daughter-in-law of George I. She was an inveterate garden-maker who of course observed the fashion of her time - formal gardens. During her growing up years Europe was impressed by the work of gardener Andre Le Notre, largely responsible for the gardens at Versailles. She may well have felt his influence.

Eyes would have difficulty taking in all of the beauty at these Gardens today - there is The Lake, created by William Hooker in the late 1840s, amazing with four islands planted so that their autumn colors are reflected in the water. Another marvel is the Pagoda seen rising above the trees, and the Temples of Bellona and Aeolus designed by Sir William Chambers.

Some 304 pages hold not only 300 color illustrations but also archival photographs. Whether a weekend gardener or a serious student of landscape there is much to be enjoyed in The Gardens At Kew.

- Gail Cooke

gardners guide, 17 Jul 2008
what a fantastic book, everything you need to know about your what to grow in your garden.

The best yet, 30 Apr 2007
I have just been given this wonderful book and am having trouble holding on to it. All my friends want to disappear with it. It is the best gardening bible I have had.The information is first rate and it has fantastic photography!

My favourite plant book, 09 Aug 2006
Loving this book but there are down sides! Im not sure about the way its layed out. The book is split into two sections the first is layed out in a strange mix of plant type and flower colour. The second is the description etc that is layed out in the normal alphabetical way. Still all the excellent colour pictures make up for any bad points.

RHS Encyclopedia of Plants & Flowers, 04 Mar 2006
The first thought that went through my mind when I was able to look at the book for the first time was - WOW!

It is a well written guide with pages and pages of beautiful pictures to get inspired by. And I found it very easy to read as well. The description and growing needs of every plant and flower is written in a simple to follow way.

This book has so much information on so many plants, I could keep myself easily entertained right up until mid-spring. Just in time for putting the information I learned into use!

I'm so happy to have bought this book, I am already looking into this author's past books on houseplants too.

A book to savour, 26 Sep 2008
This book is a delight (as is the garden in real life) The author is knowledgeable and paints the most vivid pictures. It is a book about the area of Shropshire she lives in, how it has evolved through the centuries, the house and garden and her sensitive reconstruction of it. She is a lady after my own heart with interests such as history, gardens, cats, flowers, geology, weather....it is so well written, I highly recommend it.

A perfect book, 26 Aug 2008
This book is about far more than 'the story of a garden'. For me, it is that rare thing, a book that I did not want to put down and will certainly read again. It is written in such elegant prose with no superfluity almost to the point of self-effacement. The author's knowledge of so many diverse things is a constant delight to encounter. It is about gardening; about astronomy; about the roots of words and language; about the history of Morville and its environs; about the author's place amongst all this and so much more. I read as slowly as I could, not only to savour the text fully but so as to be able to go on sharing Dr.Swift's life and times in rural Shropshire for as long as possible.

Evocative writing, 20 Jun 2008
I'm something of an armchair gardener - all the pleasure and none of the work - and this book satisfied my liking to read about beautiful gardens. Its chapters are titled according to the monastic hours, echoing the house's monastic past. The author created a dreamlike garden out of a field beside her Shropshire house. The book is a description of the genesis of that garden with digressions into history, herbalism, religion and the uses and growing habits of the plants she seeks to cultivate. The writing is brilliantly clear and the garden comes to life as you read. There are line drawings in the style of illustrations from a medieval book of hours, though no photographs, together with a plan of the layout of the garden This is a book to be enjoyed by anyone who has an interest in gardening, history or the spirit of human endeavour. To create such a magnificent garden is truly a labour of love

Best gardening book you can buy!, 21 Apr 2008
This is the best gardening book I have ever seen. I bought it as a gift for my parents but borrowed it so much I had to buy my own! And, who cares about the spelling!! (see Lord Manley review!)

Very thorough garden planning book, 06 Feb 2008
A good book for those planning a garden. It has special sections on commonly cultivated plants and sections on how to troubleshoot. I planned my garden using this and it was a great help.
Just a note that it's not really for:
- looking up a plant you've seen in a garden centre
- identifying a mysterious thing you've got in your inherited garden
If you want to do either of those, you need to use a different kind of book.

Encylopedia?, 21 Dec 2007
Whilst an excellent read, I am utterly befuddled as to how a bastion of Britishness such as the RHS could produce such a tome, filled, as it is, to the very gunnels with useful advice for any gardener, without managing the relatively simple accompanying feat of spelling the word encyclopaedia correctly.

Perhaps there is a new American royalty which has somehow escaped my attention?

Got a garden?, then buy this book, 11 Dec 2007
Got a garden? Then buy this book. Don't argue, just buy it! Every once in a while you encounter a book which is just head an shoulders above the others in its subject and this is one of those books.

Having this book is a little like having an experienced gardener over one fence who can give a kindly word when he sees you about to make an expensive mistake with the wrong plant or wrong treatment while at the same time over the opposite fence is an expert DIY fan who can tell you which tool to use and how to level your ground before constructing a patio. As others have said this is a book which will rapidly pay for itself simply because it can stop you making those mistakes.

Is there anything it won't do. Well obviously it can not be absolutely comprehensive. If you want to construct a zen garden it won't tell you the finer points of feng shui to know how to align the garden. Indeed any highly specific subjects it won't cover but for a single point of reference this is excellent. This is a book in the spirit of gardening before TV makeover programmes tried to tell people that ripping out all your top soil and putting down decking was gardening so while it won't bother with the fripperies of design it will deal with the practicalities and as others have said that will save you more than the cost of this book in avoiding expensive mistakes.

This is an absolute must buy for anyone who is into or who wants to be into gardening. I have used my previous copy for years and I would expect this new edition to last just as long. Look at it in that light and this is not an expensive book but it is an invaluable one.

One of the best encyclopedias and a gardening bestseller, 22 Nov 2007
Since its release, "RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has been flying off the shelves. It has been selling so well for good reasons: it is one of the most comprehensive and best encyclopedia. It covers almost everything that you need to know about gardening: garden design, basic botany, gardening techniques, organic gardening, container gardening, grafting and propagation, pests and diseases and weeds, tips on growing plants, fruits or vegetables, the latest trends and development on horticulture, effects of global warming, etc.

"RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has over 750 pages and many colour interior photographs. It is an indispensable reference book for both ordinary garden lovers and design professionals.

Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA






A 250 YEAR CELEBRATION, 14 Nov 2008
Most people probably don't pick up a book after noting the publisher, but I invariably do if it's a Frances Lincoln book. Her titles are always beautifully done, enhanced with stunning photographs, full of information. Such is surely the case with The Gardens At Kew, a gorgeous celebration of Kew's 250 years.

In this beautiful volume the history of this remarkable place is traced, noting the development of what now comprises 300 acres of riverside land. While today we find it home to the Royal Botanic Gardens, it once held cottages, country house estates, and even poor pasture.

Among the royals who took a hand in the improvement of the grounds was Princess Caroline, the daughter-in-law of George I. She was an inveterate garden-maker who of course observed the fashion of her time - formal gardens. During her growing up years Europe was impressed by the work of gardener Andre Le Notre, largely responsible for the gardens at Versailles. She may well have felt his influence.

Eyes would have difficulty taking in all of the beauty at these Gardens today - there is The Lake, created by William Hooker in the late 1840s, amazing with four islands planted so that their autumn colors are reflected in the water. Another marvel is the Pagoda seen rising above the trees, and the Temples of Bellona and Aeolus designed by Sir William Chambers.

Some 304 pages hold not only 300 color illustrations but also archival photographs. Whether a weekend gardener or a serious student of landscape there is much to be enjoyed in The Gardens At Kew.

- Gail Cooke

gardners guide, 17 Jul 2008
what a fantastic book, everything you need to know about your what to grow in your garden.

The best yet, 30 Apr 2007
I have just been given this wonderful book and am having trouble holding on to it. All my friends want to disappear with it. It is the best gardening bible I have had.The information is first rate and it has fantastic photography!

My favourite plant book, 09 Aug 2006
Loving this book but there are down sides! Im not sure about the way its layed out. The book is split into two sections the first is layed out in a strange mix of plant type and flower colour. The second is the description etc that is layed out in the normal alphabetical way. Still all the excellent colour pictures make up for any bad points.

RHS Encyclopedia of Plants & Flowers, 04 Mar 2006
The first thought that went through my mind when I was able to look at the book for the first time was - WOW!

It is a well written guide with pages and pages of beautiful pictures to get inspired by. And I found it very easy to read as well. The description and growing needs of every plant and flower is written in a simple to follow way.

This book has so much information on so many plants, I could keep myself easily entertained right up until mid-spring. Just in time for putting the information I learned into use!

I'm so happy to have bought this book, I am already looking into this author's past books on houseplants too.

Can we have an extended edition please?, 12 Aug 2008
I have just borrowed this from the library. I found it an interesting and easy-to-read book and the short 'chapters' on each garden are great for busy gardeners on a tea break, as it stops you reading too much at once! However, I found the lack of photos disappointing, especially as Don would sometimes explain at length how a particular planting scheme or garden area was so effective...but the only photo would be of something else! And like many other 'celebrity' books, an irritatingly large number of views were obscured by Monty in the foreground! I haven't seen the accompanying tv series, so it might perhaps be a more satisfying read if you have seen the gardens on screen. It's well worth reading, and I might possibly buy it in the future, but what I would really like to see is an expanded version with lots more photos...yes, it would be more expensive, but well worth the price. The current edition leaves me feeling a little short-changed (and what a hideous cover!)

A great ambassador for the gardening world, 09 Aug 2008
We had Percy Thrower, for those that can recall him, then along came Alan, almost a Percy Thrower. And now we have Monty ... a veritable Percy Thrower in the making. He gives a grat book here that makes no claims of sending the reader to gardening euphoria. What it does do is take a look at some great gardens and gives us what we want to know, anything more is a bonus, which this surely is. Worship him while you have him, lest Alan comes back.

Doesn't live up to the standards of the TV programme it is based on, 18 Jun 2008
I'm an admirer of Monty Don and I enjoyed the TV series this book is based on. But the book is far too sketchy to be satisfying; there's simply not enough material here, not enough photographs, too few insights.
If this is an Around the World trip, it's one of those lightning coach tours full of camera snapping tourists ("If it's Tuesday it must be Paris").
Worth a read, but not worth the asking price. As someone has commented before, just borrow it from the library; the publishers have let Monty down with this one.

Disappointing, 30 Apr 2008
I bought this book after being captivated by the images in the first programme in the TV series. But I was deeply disappointed to find that there are very few photographs of the stunning gardens, and most of these contain Monty! I'm a big fan of Monty but would have preferred to see the gardens without him. The writing is good, but as I bought it (unseen) for the photos I wish I had borrowed it from the library first.

Read it but don't buy it, 25 Apr 2008
I bought this a couple of months ago. It is very literate and clear, but contains so many spelling mistakes that I wonder if it was properly proof-read. The illustrations are very amateurish. Worth reading - not worth buying! In other words, GTTL (Go To The Library).

A book to savour, 26 Sep 2008
This book is a delight (as is the garden in real life) The author is knowledgeable and paints the most vivid pictures. It is a book about the area of Shropshire she lives in, how it has evolved through the centuries, the house and garden and her sensitive reconstruction of it. She is a lady after my own heart with interests such as history, gardens, cats, flowers, geology, weather....it is so well written, I highly recommend it.

A perfect book, 26 Aug 2008
This book is about far more than 'the story of a garden'. For me, it is that rare thing, a book that I did not want to put down and will certainly read again. It is written in such elegant prose with no superfluity almost to the point of self-effacement. The author's knowledge of so many diverse things is a constant delight to encounter. It is about gardening; about astronomy; about the roots of words and language; about the history of Morville and its environs; about the author's place amongst all this and so much more. I read as slowly as I could, not only to savour the text fully but so as to be able to go on sharing Dr.Swift's life and times in rural Shropshire for as long as possible.

Evocative writing, 20 Jun 2008
I'm something of an armchair gardener - all the pleasure and none of the work - and this book satisfied my liking to read about beautiful gardens. Its chapters are titled according to the monastic hours, echoing the house's monastic past. The author created a dreamlike garden out of a field beside her Shropshire house. The book is a description of the genesis of that garden with digressions into history, herbalism, religion and the uses and growing habits of the plants she seeks to cultivate. The writing is brilliantly clear and the garden comes to life as you read. There are line drawings in the style of illustrations from a medieval book of hours, though no photographs, together with a plan of the layout of the garden This is a book to be enjoyed by anyone who has an interest in gardening, history or the spirit of human endeavour. To create such a magnificent garden is truly a labour of love

Best gardening book you can buy!, 21 Apr 2008
This is the best gardening book I have ever seen. I bought it as a gift for my parents but borrowed it so much I had to buy my own! And, who cares about the spelling!! (see Lord Manley review!)

Very thorough garden planning book, 06 Feb 2008
A good book for those planning a garden. It has special sections on commonly cultivated plants and sections on how to troubleshoot. I planned my garden using this and it was a great help.
Just a note that it's not really for:
- looking up a plant you've seen in a garden centre
- identifying a mysterious thing you've got in your inherited garden
If you want to do either of those, you need to use a different kind of book.

Encylopedia?, 21 Dec 2007
Whilst an excellent read, I am utterly befuddled as to how a bastion of Britishness such as the RHS could produce such a tome, filled, as it is, to the very gunnels with useful advice for any gardener, without managing the relatively simple accompanying feat of spelling the word encyclopaedia correctly.

Perhaps there is a new American royalty which has somehow escaped my attention?

Got a garden?, then buy this book, 11 Dec 2007
Got a garden? Then buy this book. Don't argue, just buy it! Every once in a while you encounter a book which is just head an shoulders above the others in its subject and this is one of those books.

Having this book is a little like having an experienced gardener over one fence who can give a kindly word when he sees you about to make an expensive mistake with the wrong plant or wrong treatment while at the same time over the opposite fence is an expert DIY fan who can tell you which tool to use and how to level your ground before constructing a patio. As others have said this is a book which will rapidly pay for itself simply because it can stop you making those mistakes.

Is there anything it won't do. Well obviously it can not be absolutely comprehensive. If you want to construct a zen garden it won't tell you the finer points of feng shui to know how to align the garden. Indeed any highly specific subjects it won't cover but for a single point of reference this is excellent. This is a book in the spirit of gardening before TV makeover programmes tried to tell people that ripping out all your top soil and putting down decking was gardening so while it won't bother with the fripperies of design it will deal with the practicalities and as others have said that will save you more than the cost of this book in avoiding expensive mistakes.

This is an absolute must buy for anyone who is into or who wants to be into gardening. I have used my previous copy for years and I would expect this new edition to last just as long. Look at it in that light and this is not an expensive book but it is an invaluable one.

One of the best encyclopedias and a gardening bestseller, 22 Nov 2007
Since its release, "RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has been flying off the shelves. It has been selling so well for good reasons: it is one of the most comprehensive and best encyclopedia. It covers almost everything that you need to know about gardening: garden design, basic botany, gardening techniques, organic gardening, container gardening, grafting and propagation, pests and diseases and weeds, tips on growing plants, fruits or vegetables, the latest trends and development on horticulture, effects of global warming, etc.

"RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has over 750 pages and many colour interior photographs. It is an indispensable reference book for both ordinary garden lovers and design professionals.

Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA






A 250 YEAR CELEBRATION, 14 Nov 2008
Most people probably don't pick up a book after noting the publisher, but I invariably do if it's a Frances Lincoln book. Her titles are always beautifully done, enhanced with stunning photographs, full of information. Such is surely the case with The Gardens At Kew, a gorgeous celebration of Kew's 250 years.

In this beautiful volume the history of this remarkable place is traced, noting the development of what now comprises 300 acres of riverside land. While today we find it home to the Royal Botanic Gardens, it once held cottages, country house estates, and even poor pasture.

Among the royals who took a hand in the improvement of the grounds was Princess Caroline, the daughter-in-law of George I. She was an inveterate garden-maker who of course observed the fashion of her time - formal gardens. During her growing up years Europe was impressed by the work of gardener Andre Le Notre, largely responsible for the gardens at Versailles. She may well have felt his influence.

Eyes would have difficulty taking in all of the beauty at these Gardens today - there is The Lake, created by William Hooker in the late 1840s, amazing with four islands planted so that their autumn colors are reflected in the water. Another marvel is the Pagoda seen rising above the trees, and the Temples of Bellona and Aeolus designed by Sir William Chambers.

Some 304 pages hold not only 300 color illustrations but also archival photographs. Whether a weekend gardener or a serious student of landscape there is much to be enjoyed in The Gardens At Kew.

- Gail Cooke

gardners guide, 17 Jul 2008
what a fantastic book, everything you need to know about your what to grow in your garden.

The best yet, 30 Apr 2007
I have just been given this wonderful book and am having trouble holding on to it. All my friends want to disappear with it. It is the best gardening bible I have had.The information is first rate and it has fantastic photography!

My favourite plant book, 09 Aug 2006
Loving this book but there are down sides! Im not sure about the way its layed out. The book is split into two sections the first is layed out in a strange mix of plant type and flower colour. The second is the description etc that is layed out in the normal alphabetical way. Still all the excellent colour pictures make up for any bad points.

RHS Encyclopedia of Plants & Flowers, 04 Mar 2006
The first thought that went through my mind when I was able to look at the book for the first time was - WOW!

It is a well written guide with pages and pages of beautiful pictures to get inspired by. And I found it very easy to read as well. The description and growing needs of every plant and flower is written in a simple to follow way.

This book has so much information on so many plants, I could keep myself easily entertained right up until mid-spring. Just in time for putting the information I learned into use!

I'm so happy to have bought this book, I am already looking into this author's past books on houseplants too.

Can we have an extended edition please?, 12 Aug 2008
I have just borrowed this from the library. I found it an interesting and easy-to-read book and the short 'chapters' on each garden are great for busy gardeners on a tea break, as it stops you reading too much at once! However, I found the lack of photos disappointing, especially as Don would sometimes explain at length how a particular planting scheme or garden area was so effective...but the only photo would be of something else! And like many other 'celebrity' books, an irritatingly large number of views were obscured by Monty in the foreground! I haven't seen the accompanying tv series, so it might perhaps be a more satisfying read if you have seen the gardens on screen. It's well worth reading, and I might possibly buy it in the future, but what I would really like to see is an expanded version with lots more photos...yes, it would be more expensive, but well worth the price. The current edition leaves me feeling a little short-changed (and what a hideous cover!)

A great ambassador for the gardening world, 09 Aug 2008
We had Percy Thrower, for those that can recall him, then along came Alan, almost a Percy Thrower. And now we have Monty ... a veritable Percy Thrower in the making. He gives a grat book here that makes no claims of sending the reader to gardening euphoria. What it does do is take a look at some great gardens and gives us what we want to know, anything more is a bonus, which this surely is. Worship him while you have him, lest Alan comes back.

Doesn't live up to the standards of the TV programme it is based on, 18 Jun 2008
I'm an admirer of Monty Don and I enjoyed the TV series this book is based on. But the book is far too sketchy to be satisfying; there's simply not enough material here, not enough photographs, too few insights.
If this is an Around the World trip, it's one of those lightning coach tours full of camera snapping tourists ("If it's Tuesday it must be Paris").
Worth a read, but not worth the asking price. As someone has commented before, just borrow it from the library; the publishers have let Monty down with this one.

Disappointing, 30 Apr 2008
I bought this book after being captivated by the images in the first programme in the TV series. But I was deeply disappointed to find that there are very few photographs of the stunning gardens, and most of these contain Monty! I'm a big fan of Monty but would have preferred to see the gardens without him. The writing is good, but as I bought it (unseen) for the photos I wish I had borrowed it from the library first.

Read it but don't buy it, 25 Apr 2008
I bought this a couple of months ago. It is very literate and clear, but contains so many spelling mistakes that I wonder if it was properly proof-read. The illustrations are very amateurish. Worth reading - not worth buying! In other words, GTTL (Go To The Library).

Looks great, not such great text, 19 Dec 2006
A very attractive coffe table book, full of high quality images. However, in terms of garden design and maintenance it is a little bit specialist for my taste. Overall, this is one for the garden historian rather than the gardener. Btw - a previous review questions why gardens belonging to the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) aren't included in the book. I suspect it's because NTS is an entirely seperate organisation from the National Trust for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, rather than the author not rating gardens north of the border.



Great text and stunning photos, 12 Dec 2005
I found information on plant varieties, garden design and historical facts fascinating. The entry on Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal was particularly poignant for me, as it is probably my favourite National Trust garden (of the ones I've visited), and Stephen Lacey's text added to my enjoyment and memories of a sunny summer's day visit. Despite being mid-winter, it made me want to jump in the car and drive up to North Yorks to revel in the splendour of this garden.

This is a book to dip-in and out of before and after visiting National Trust properties. I'm keen for spring and summer to come round again to see these gardens at their best. To be honest, I may even brave the cold winter weather and go and see the winter face of some of my more local NT gardens.

The photography is undoubtedly stunning, and does these gardens full justice. More photography and books of this type please, National Trust.

It relies too heavily on the artwork., 02 Nov 2005
It seems that the author relies heavily on the startling photograhy in this book, perhaps he should concentrate his efforts elsewhere, as the text is neither here nor there.
I could not tune into this lacklustre offering at all.

A book to savour, 26 Sep 2008
This book is a delight (as is the garden in real life) The author is knowledgeable and paints the most vivid pictures. It is a book about the area of Shropshire she lives in, how it has evolved through the centuries, the house and garden and her sensitive reconstruction of it. She is a lady after my own heart with interests such as history, gardens, cats, flowers, geology, weather....it is so well written, I highly recommend it.

A perfect book, 26 Aug 2008
This book is about far more than 'the story of a garden'. For me, it is that rare thing, a book that I did not want to put down and will certainly read again. It is written in such elegant prose with no superfluity almost to the point of self-effacement. The author's knowledge of so many diverse things is a constant delight to encounter. It is about gardening; about astronomy; about the roots of words and language; about the history of Morville and its environs; about the author's place amongst all this and so much more. I read as slowly as I could, not only to savour the text fully but so as to be able to go on sharing Dr.Swift's life and times in rural Shropshire for as long as possible.

Evocative writing, 20 Jun 2008
I'm something of an armchair gardener - all the pleasure and none of the work - and this book satisfied my liking to read about beautiful gardens. Its chapters are titled according to the monastic hours, echoing the house's monastic past. The author created a dreamlike garden out of a field beside her Shropshire house. The book is a description of the genesis of that garden with digressions into history, herbalism, religion and the uses and growing habits of the plants she seeks to cultivate. The writing is brilliantly clear and the garden comes to life as you read. There are line drawings in the style of illustrations from a medieval book of hours, though no photographs, together with a plan of the layout of the garden This is a book to be enjoyed by anyone who has an interest in gardening, history or the spirit of human endeavour. To create such a magnificent garden is truly a labour of love

Best gardening book you can buy!, 21 Apr 2008
This is the best gardening book I have ever seen. I bought it as a gift for my parents but borrowed it so much I had to buy my own! And, who cares about the spelling!! (see Lord Manley review!)

Very thorough garden planning book, 06 Feb 2008
A good book for those planning a garden. It has special sections on commonly cultivated plants and sections on how to troubleshoot. I planned my garden using this and it was a great help.
Just a note that it's not really for:
- looking up a plant you've seen in a garden centre
- identifying a mysterious thing you've got in your inherited garden
If you want to do either of those, you need to use a different kind of book.

Encylopedia?, 21 Dec 2007
Whilst an excellent read, I am utterly befuddled as to how a bastion of Britishness such as the RHS could produce such a tome, filled, as it is, to the very gunnels with useful advice for any gardener, without managing the relatively simple accompanying feat of spelling the word encyclopaedia correctly.

Perhaps there is a new American royalty which has somehow escaped my attention?

Got a garden?, then buy this book, 11 Dec 2007
Got a garden? Then buy this book. Don't argue, just buy it! Every once in a while you encounter a book which is just head an shoulders above the others in its subject and this is one of those books.

Having this book is a little like having an experienced gardener over one fence who can give a kindly word when he sees you about to make an expensive mistake with the wrong plant or wrong treatment while at the same time over the opposite fence is an expert DIY fan who can tell you which tool to use and how to level your ground before constructing a patio. As others have said this is a book which will rapidly pay for itself simply because it can stop you making those mistakes.

Is there anything it won't do. Well obviously it can not be absolutely comprehensive. If you want to construct a zen garden it won't tell you the finer points of feng shui to know how to align the garden. Indeed any highly specific subjects it won't cover but for a single point of reference this is excellent. This is a book in the spirit of gardening before TV makeover programmes tried to tell people that ripping out all your top soil and putting down decking was gardening so while it won't bother with the fripperies of design it will deal with the practicalities and as others have said that will save you more than the cost of this book in avoiding expensive mistakes.

This is an absolute must buy for anyone who is into or who wants to be into gardening. I have used my previous copy for years and I would expect this new edition to last just as long. Look at it in that light and this is not an expensive book but it is an invaluable one.

One of the best encyclopedias and a gardening bestseller, 22 Nov 2007
Since its release, "RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has been flying off the shelves. It has been selling so well for good reasons: it is one of the most comprehensive and best encyclopedia. It covers almost everything that you need to know about gardening: garden design, basic botany, gardening techniques, organic gardening, container gardening, grafting and propagation, pests and diseases and weeds, tips on growing plants, fruits or vegetables, the latest trends and development on horticulture, effects of global warming, etc.

"RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has over 750 pages and many colour interior photographs. It is an indispensable reference book for both ordinary garden lovers and design professionals.

Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA






A 250 YEAR CELEBRATION, 14 Nov 2008
Most people probably don't pick up a book after noting the publisher, but I invariably do if it's a Frances Lincoln book. Her titles are always beautifully done, enhanced with stunning photographs, full of information. Such is surely the case with The Gardens At Kew, a gorgeous celebration of Kew's 250 years.

In this beautiful volume the history of this remarkable place is traced, noting the development of what now comprises 300 acres of riverside land. While today we find it home to the Royal Botanic Gardens, it once held cottages, country house estates, and even poor pasture.

Among the royals who took a hand in the improvement of the grounds was Princess Caroline, the daughter-in-law of George I. She was an inveterate garden-maker who of course observed the fashion of her time - formal gardens. During her growing up years Europe was impressed by the work of gardener Andre Le Notre, largely responsible for the gardens at Versailles. She may well have felt his influence.

Eyes would have difficulty taking in all of the beauty at these Gardens today - there is The Lake, created by William Hooker in the late 1840s, amazing with four islands planted so that their autumn colors are reflected in the water. Another marvel is the Pagoda seen rising above the trees, and the Temples of Bellona and Aeolus designed by Sir William Chambers.

Some 304 pages hold not only 300 color illustrations but also archival photographs. Whether a weekend gardener or a serious student of landscape there is much to be enjoyed in The Gardens At Kew.

- Gail Cooke

gardners guide, 17 Jul 2008
what a fantastic book, everything you need to know about your what to grow in your garden.

The best yet, 30 Apr 2007
I have just been given this wonderful book and am having trouble holding on to it. All my friends want to disappear with it. It is the best gardening bible I have had.The information is first rate and it has fantastic photography!

My favourite plant book, 09 Aug 2006
Loving this book but there are down sides! Im not sure about the way its layed out. The book is split into two sections the first is layed out in a strange mix of plant type and flower colour. The second is the description etc that is layed out in the normal alphabetical way. Still all the excellent colour pictures make up for any bad points.

RHS Encyclopedia of Plants & Flowers, 04 Mar 2006
The first thought that went through my mind when I was able to look at the book for the first time was - WOW!

It is a well written guide with pages and pages of beautiful pictures to get inspired by. And I found it very easy to read as well. The description and growing needs of every plant and flower is written in a simple to follow way.

This book has so much information on so many plants, I could keep myself easily entertained right up until mid-spring. Just in time for putting the information I learned into use!

I'm so happy to have bought this book, I am already looking into this author's past books on houseplants too.

Can we have an extended edition please?, 12 Aug 2008
I have just borrowed this from the library. I found it an interesting and easy-to-read book and the short 'chapters' on each garden are great for busy gardeners on a tea break, as it stops you reading too much at once! However, I found the lack of photos disappointing, especially as Don would sometimes explain at length how a particular planting scheme or garden area was so effective...but the only photo would be of something else! And like many other 'celebrity' books, an irritatingly large number of views were obscured by Monty in the foreground! I haven't seen the accompanying tv series, so it might perhaps be a more satisfying read if you have seen the gardens on screen. It's well worth reading, and I might possibly buy it in the future, but what I would really like to see is an expanded version with lots more photos...yes, it would be more expensive, but well worth the price. The current edition leaves me feeling a little short-changed (and what a hideous cover!)

A great ambassador for the gardening world, 09 Aug 2008
We had Percy Thrower, for those that can recall him, then along came Alan, almost a Percy Thrower. And now we have Monty ... a veritable Percy Thrower in the making. He gives a grat book here that makes no claims of sending the reader to gardening euphoria. What it does do is take a look at some great gardens and gives us what we want to know, anything more is a bonus, which this surely is. Worship him while you have him, lest Alan comes back.

Doesn't live up to the standards of the TV programme it is based on, 18 Jun 2008
I'm an admirer of Monty Don and I enjoyed the TV series this book is based on. But the book is far too sketchy to be satisfying; there's simply not enough material here, not enough photographs, too few insights.
If this is an Around the World trip, it's one of those lightning coach tours full of camera snapping tourists ("If it's Tuesday it must be Paris").
Worth a read, but not worth the asking price. As someone has commented before, just borrow it from the library; the publishers have let Monty down with this one.

Disappointing, 30 Apr 2008
I bought this book after being captivated by the images in the first programme in the TV series. But I was deeply disappointed to find that there are very few photographs of the stunning gardens, and most of these contain Monty! I'm a big fan of Monty but would have preferred to see the gardens without him. The writing is good, but as I bought it (unseen) for the photos I wish I had borrowed it from the library first.

Read it but don't buy it, 25 Apr 2008
I bought this a couple of months ago. It is very literate and clear, but contains so many spelling mistakes that I wonder if it was properly proof-read. The illustrations are very amateurish. Worth reading - not worth buying! In other words, GTTL (Go To The Library).

Looks great, not such great text, 19 Dec 2006
A very attractive coffe table book, full of high quality images. However, in terms of garden design and maintenance it is a little bit specialist for my taste. Overall, this is one for the garden historian rather than the gardener. Btw - a previous review questions why gardens belonging to the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) aren't included in the book. I suspect it's because NTS is an entirely seperate organisation from the National Trust for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, rather than the author not rating gardens north of the border.



Great text and stunning photos, 12 Dec 2005
I found information on plant varieties, garden design and historical facts fascinating. The entry on Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal was particularly poignant for me, as it is probably my favourite National Trust garden (of the ones I've visited), and Stephen Lacey's text added to my enjoyment and memories of a sunny summer's day visit. Despite being mid-winter, it made me want to jump in the car and drive up to North Yorks to revel in the splendour of this garden.

This is a book to dip-in and out of before and after visiting National Trust properties. I'm keen for spring and summer to come round again to see these gardens at their best. To be honest, I may even brave the cold winter weather and go and see the winter face of some of my more local NT gardens.

The photography is undoubtedly stunning, and does these gardens full justice. More photography and books of this type please, National Trust.

It relies too heavily on the artwork., 02 Nov 2005
It seems that the author relies heavily on the startling photograhy in this book, perhaps he should concentrate his efforts elsewhere, as the text is neither here nor there.
I could not tune into this lacklustre offering at all.

Fantastic easy to understand read, 09 Jun 2008
I bought this book as I'm a novice to greenhouse gardening. This book is a must for others like me. It is written in an easy to understand manner and is structured so that you can pick out the sections you want or need without having to wade through endless pages of the stuff you don't want - not that there are any pages in the book that are surplus to requirements! The illustrations and photographs are very helpful too. The author doesn't use jargon or techno speak beyond the understanding of beginners and manages to instill the belief that greenhouse gardening is quite achievable for anyone who wants to have a go. Full of tips on what you need and don't need to buy also. An excellent book overall.

A book to savour, 26 Sep 2008
This book is a delight (as is the garden in real life) The author is knowledgeable and paints the most vivid pictures. It is a book about the area of Shropshire she lives in, how it has evolved through the centuries, the house and garden and her sensitive reconstruction of it. She is a lady after my own heart with interests such as history, gardens, cats, flowers, geology, weather....it is so well written, I highly recommend it.

A perfect book, 26 Aug 2008
This book is about far more than 'the story of a garden'. For me, it is that rare thing, a book that I did not want to put down and will certainly read again. It is written in such elegant prose with no superfluity almost to the point of self-effacement. The author's knowledge of so many diverse things is a constant delight to encounter. It is about gardening; about astronomy; about the roots of words and language; about the history of Morville and its environs; about the author's place amongst all this and so much more. I read as slowly as I could, not only to savour the text fully but so as to be able to go on sharing Dr.Swift's life and times in rural Shropshire for as long as possible.

Evocative writing, 20 Jun 2008
I'm something of an armchair gardener - all the pleasure and none of the work - and this book satisfied my liking to read about beautiful gardens. Its chapters are titled according to the monastic hours, echoing the house's monastic past. The author created a dreamlike garden out of a field beside her Shropshire house. The book is a description of the genesis of that garden with digressions into history, herbalism, religion and the uses and growing habits of the plants she seeks to cultivate. The writing is brilliantly clear and the garden comes to life as you read. There are line drawings in the style of illustrations from a medieval book of hours, though no photographs, together with a plan of the layout of the garden This is a book to be enjoyed by anyone who has an interest in gardening, history or the spirit of human endeavour. To create such a magnificent garden is truly a labour of love

Best gardening book you can buy!, 21 Apr 2008
This is the best gardening book I have ever seen. I bought it as a gift for my parents but borrowed it so much I had to buy my own! And, who cares about the spelling!! (see Lord Manley review!)

Very thorough garden planning book, 06 Feb 2008
A good book for those planning a garden. It has special sections on commonly cultivated plants and sections on how to troubleshoot. I planned my garden using this and it was a great help.
Just a note that it's not really for:
- looking up a plant you've seen in a garden centre
- identifying a mysterious thing you've got in your inherited garden
If you want to do either of those, you need to use a different kind of book.

Encylopedia?, 21 Dec 2007
Whilst an excellent read, I am utterly befuddled as to how a bastion of Britishness such as the RHS could produce such a tome, filled, as it is, to the very gunnels with useful advice for any gardener, without managing the relatively simple accompanying feat of spelling the word encyclopaedia correctly.

Perhaps there is a new American royalty which has somehow escaped my attention?

Got a garden?, then buy this book, 11 Dec 2007
Got a garden? Then buy this book. Don't argue, just buy it! Every once in a while you encounter a book which is just head an shoulders above the others in its subject and this is one of those books.

Having this book is a little like having an experienced gardener over one fence who can give a kindly word when he sees you about to make an expensive mistake with the wrong plant or wrong treatment while at the same time over the opposite fence is an expert DIY fan who can tell you which tool to use and how to level your ground before constructing a patio. As others have said this is a book which will rapidly pay for itself simply because it can stop you making those mistakes.

Is there anything it won't do. Well obviously it can not be absolutely comprehensive. If you want to construct a zen garden it won't tell you the finer points of feng shui to know how to align the garden. Indeed any highly specific subjects it won't cover but for a single point of reference this is excellent. This is a book in the spirit of gardening before TV makeover programmes tried to tell people that ripping out all your top soil and putting down decking was gardening so while it won't bother with the fripperies of design it will deal with the practicalities and as others have said that will save you more than the cost of this book in avoiding expensive mistakes.

This is an absolute must buy for anyone who is into or who wants to be into gardening. I have used my previous copy for years and I would expect this new edition to last just as long. Look at it in that light and this is not an expensive book but it is an invaluable one.

One of the best encyclopedias and a gardening bestseller, 22 Nov 2007
Since its release, "RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has been flying off the shelves. It has been selling so well for good reasons: it is one of the most comprehensive and best encyclopedia. It covers almost everything that you need to know about gardening: garden design, basic botany, gardening techniques, organic gardening, container gardening, grafting and propagation, pests and diseases and weeds, tips on growing plants, fruits or vegetables, the latest trends and development on horticulture, effects of global warming, etc.

"RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening" has over 750 pages and many colour interior photographs. It is an indispensable reference book for both ordinary garden lovers and design professionals.

Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA






A 250 YEAR CELEBRATION, 14 Nov 2008
Most people probably don't pick up a book after noting the publisher, but I invariably do if it's a Frances Lincoln book. Her titles are always beautifully done, enhanced with stunning photographs, full of information. Such is surely the case with The Gardens At Kew, a gorgeous celebration of Kew's 250 years.

In this beautiful volume the history of this remarkable place is traced, noting the development of what now comprises 300 acres of riverside land. While today we find it home to the Royal Botanic Gardens, it once held cottages, country house estates, and even poor pasture.

Among the royals who took a hand in the improvement of the grounds was Princess Caroline, the daughter-in-law of George I. She was an inveterate garden-maker who of course observed the fashion of her time - formal gardens. During her growing up years Europe was impressed by the work of gardener Andre Le Notre, largely responsible for the gardens at Versailles. She may well have felt his influence.

Eyes would have difficulty taking in all of the beauty at these Gardens today - there is The Lake, created by William Hooker in the late 1840s, amazing with four islands planted so that their autumn colors are reflected in the water. Another marvel is the Pagoda seen rising above the trees, and the Temples of Bellona and Aeolus designed by Sir William Chambers.

Some 304 pages hold not only 300 color illustrations but also archival photographs. Whether a weekend gardener or a serious student of landscape there is much to be enjoyed in The Gardens At Kew.

- Gail Cooke

gardners guide, 17 Jul 2008
what a fantastic book, everything you need to know about your what to grow in your garden.

The best yet, 30 Apr 2007
I have just been given this wonderful book and am having trouble holding on to it. All my friends want to disappear with it. It is the best gardening bible I have had.The information is first rate and it has fantastic photography!

My favourite plant book, 09 Aug 2006
Loving this book but there are down sides! Im not sure about the way its layed out. The book is split into two sections the first is layed out in a strange mix of plant type and flower colour. The second is the description etc that is layed out in the normal alphabetical way. Still all the excellent colour pictures make up for any bad points.

RHS Encyclopedia of Plants & Flowers, 04 Mar 2006
The first thought that went through my mind when I was able to look at the book for the first time was - WOW!

It is a well written guide with pages and pages of beautiful pictures to get inspired by. And I found it very easy to read as well. The description and growing needs of every plant and flower is written in a simple to follow way.

This book has so much information on so many plants, I could keep myself easily entertained right up until mid-spring. Just in time for putting the information I learned into use!

I'm so happy to have bought this book, I am already looking into this author's past books on houseplants too.

Can we have an extended edition please?, 12 Aug 2008
I have just borrowed this from the library. I found it an interesting and easy-to-read book and the short 'chapters' on each garden are great for busy gardeners on a tea break, as it stops you reading too much at once! However, I found the lack of photos disappointing, especially as Don would sometimes explain at length how a particular planting scheme or garden area was so effective...but the only photo would be of something else! And like many other 'celebrity' books, an irritatingly large number of views were obscured by Monty in the foreground! I haven't seen the accompanying tv series, so it might perhaps be a more satisfying read if you have seen the gardens on screen. It's well worth reading, and I might possibly buy it in the future, but what I would really like to see is an expanded version with lots more photos...yes, it would be more expensive, but well worth the price. The current edition leaves me feeling a little short-changed (and what a hideous cover!)

A great ambassador for the gardening world, 09 Aug 2008
We had Percy Thrower, for those that can recall him, then along came Alan, almost a Percy Thrower. And now we have Monty ... a veritable Percy Thrower in the making. He gives a grat book here that makes no claims of sending the reader to gardening euphoria. What it does do is take a look at some great gardens and gives us what we want to know, anything more is a bonus, which this surely is. Worship him while you have him, lest Alan comes back.

Doesn't live up to the standards of the TV programme it is based on, 18 Jun 2008
I'm an admirer of Monty Don and I enjoyed the TV series this book is based on. But the book is far too sketchy to be satisfying; there's simply not enough material here, not enough photographs, too few insights.
If this is an Around the World trip, it's one of those lightning coach tours full of camera snapping tourists ("If it's Tuesday it must be Paris").
Worth a read, but not worth the asking price. As someone has commented before, just borrow it from the library; the publishers have let Monty down with this one.

Disappointing, 30 Apr 2008
I bought this book after being captivated by the images in the first programme in the TV series. But I was deeply disappointed to find that there are very few photographs of the stunning gardens, and most of these contain Monty! I'm a big fan of Monty but would have preferred to see the gardens without him. The writing is good, but as I bought it (unseen) for the photos I wish I had borrowed it from the library first.

Read it but don't buy it, 25 Apr 2008
I bought this a couple of months ago. It is very literate and clear, but contains so many spelling mistakes that I wonder if it was properly proof-read. The illustrations are very amateurish. Worth reading - not worth buying! In other words, GTTL (Go To The Library).

Looks great, not such great text, 19 Dec 2006
A very attractive coffe table book, full of high quality images. However, in terms of garden design and maintenance it is a little bit specialist for my taste. Overall, this is one for the garden historian rather than the gardener. Btw - a previous review questions why gardens belonging to the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) aren't included in the book. I suspect it's because NTS is an entirely seperate organisation from the National Trust for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, rather than the author not rating gardens north of the border.



Great text and stunning photos, 12 Dec 2005
I found information on plant varieties, garden design and historical facts fascinating. The entry on Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal was particularly poignant for me, as it is probably my favourite National Trust garden (of the ones I've visited), and Stephen Lacey's text added to my enjoyment and memories of a sunny summer's day visit. Despite being mid-winter, it made me want to jump in the car and drive up to North Yorks to revel in the splendour of this garden.

This is a book to dip-in and out of before and after visiting National Trust properties. I'm keen for spring and summer to come round again to see these gardens at their best. To be honest, I may even brave the cold winter weather and go and see the winter face of some of my more local NT gardens.

The photography is undoubtedly stunning, and does these gardens full justice. More photography and books of this type please, National Trust.

It relies too heavily on the artwork., 02 Nov 2005
It seems that the author relies heavily on the startling photograhy in this book, perhaps he should concentrate his efforts elsewhere, as the text is neither here nor there.
I could not tune into this lacklustre offering at all.

Fantastic easy to understand read, 09 Jun 2008
I bought this book as I'm a novice to greenhouse gardening. This book is a must for others like me. It is written in an easy to understand manner and is structured so that you can pick out the sections you want or need without having to wade through endless pages of the stuff you don't want - not that there are any pages in the book that are surplus to requirements! The illustrations and photographs are very helpful too. The author doesn't use jargon or techno speak beyond the understanding of beginners and manages to instill the belief that greenhouse gardening is quite achievable for anyone who wants to have a go. Full of tips on what you need and don't need to buy also. An excellent book overall.

A good and very practical garden design book, 22 Nov 2007
This book covers all phases of garden design, from original research, obtaining the owner's requirements, site survey sketch, checklist and inventory, to conceptual diagrams, presentation plans, theme plan, preliminary garden layout plan and final planting plans.

It discusses space, light, proportion and scale, colour plates, ground plane, vertical plane, overhead plane, materials, texture, principles of planting design, planting styles, practical considerations, seasonal effects, and rendering techniques for various plans. It also has a plant list and plant hardiness zones at the end. This is one of few books that actually discuss the design aspect of gardens / landscaping. Very practical!

Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA




The Essential Garden Design Workbook, 24 Apr 2005
This is a book which I know intimately,especially the first edition which formed the basis of The English Gardening Schools Distance Learning course, in Garden Design.It is without doubt one of the best books of it's type, and ranks along side the Doyen of Garden Design Books John Brooks,frankly I cannot pay the Author,Rosemary Alexander any higher compliment, if you are a Student, or newly qualified Designer then this is a book which will be referred to on more than one occaison,and it's style and quirky line drawings only add to your entertainment& education ,buy it you will not be dissappointed.

The Essential Garden Design Workbook, 23 Jan 2005
After ploughing through endless variations on this theme it's good to find something that's user friendly and totally practical. The best feature is that the book follows the design process in a logical manner identifying principles and showing you how to apply them in a practical way; it also shows you what works in design terms and what doesn't plus some tricks to achieve more professional results with plan presentations. Another thing of interest is the quirky graphic style of illustration used to highlight non- plan points. Extremely useful throughout.

A book to savour, 26 Sep 2008
This book is a delight (as is the garden in real life) The author is knowledgeable and paints the most vivid pictures. It is a book about the area of Shropshire she lives in, how it has evolved through the centuries, the house and garden and her sensitive reconstruction of it. She is a lady after my own heart with interests such as history, gardens, cats, flowers, geology, weather....it is so well written, I highly recommend it.

A perfect book, 26 Aug 2008
This book is about far more than 'the story of a garden'. For me, it is that rare thing, a book that I did not want to put down and will certainly read again. It is written in such elegant prose with no superfluity almost to the point of self-effacement. The author's knowledge of so many diverse things is a constant delight to encounter. It is about gardening; about astronomy; about the roots of words and language; about the history of Morville and its environs; about the author's place amongst all this and so much more. I read as slowly as I could, not only to savour the text fully but so as to be able to go on sharing Dr.Swift's life and times in rural Shropshire for as long as possible.

Evocative writing, 20 Jun 2008
I'm something of an armchair gardener - all the pleasure and none of the work - and this book satisfied my liking to read about beautiful gardens. Its chapters are titled according to the monastic hours, echoing the house's monastic past. The author created a dreamlike garden out of a field beside her Shropshire house. The book is a description of the genesis of that garden with digressions into history, herbalism, religion and the uses and growing habits of the plants she seeks to cultivate. The writing is brilliantly clear and the garden comes to life as you read. There are line drawings in the style of illustrations from a medieval book of hours, though no photographs, together with a plan of the layout of the garden This is a book to be enjoyed by anyone who has an interest in gardening, history or the spirit of human endeavour. To create such a magnificent garden is truly a labour of love

Best gardening book you can buy!, 21 Apr 2008
This is the best gardening book I have ever seen. I bought it as a gift for my parents but borrowed it so much I had to buy my own! And, who cares about the spelling!! (see Lord Manley review!)

Very thorough garden planning book, 06 Feb 2008
A good book for those planning a garden. It has special sections on commonly cultivated plants and sections on how to troubleshoot. I planned my garden using this and it was a great help.
Just a note that it's not really for:
- looking up a plant you've seen in a garden centre
- identifying a mysterious thing you've got in your inherited garden
If you want to do either of those, you need to use a different kind of book.

Encylopedia?, 21 Dec 2007
Whilst an excellent read, I am utterly befuddled as to how a bastion of Britishness such as the RHS could produce such a tome, filled, as it is, to the very gunnels with useful advice for any gardener, without managing the relatively simple accompanying feat of spelling the word encyclopaedia correctly.

Perhaps there is a new American royalty which has somehow escaped my attention?

Got a garden?, then buy this book, 11 Dec 2007
Got a garden? Then buy this book. Don't argue, just buy it! Every once in a while you encounter a book which is just head an shoulders above the others in its subject and this is one of those books.

Having this book is a little like having an experienced gardener over one fence who can give a kindly word when he sees you about to make an expensive mistake with the wrong plant or wrong treatment while at the same time over the opposite fence is an expert DIY fan who can tell you which tool to use and how to level your ground before constructing a patio. As others have said this is a book which will rapidly pay for itself simply because it can stop you making those mis