For my birthday this year I received the ultimate present - money to buy gardening and nature books. Matthew Biggs' The Secrets of Great Botanists was one of the books I bought and it turned out to be an excellent choice... From Pedanius Dioscorides’ seminal work De Materia Medica to Patrick Blanc’s modern, innovative mur … Continue reading Book Review: The Secrets of Great Botanists
Published earlier this month, Dahlias: Beautiful Varieties for Home and Garden is a captivating celebration of the dahlia combining Georgianna Lane's sublime photography of single cultivars and mixed arrangements with Naomi Slade's lyrical and engaging text. I've been looking forward to reading Dahlias since May, when Naomi mentioned the new book she'd been writing. Having been kindly sent … Continue reading Book Review: Dahlias by Naomi Slade and Georgianna Lane
Chillies are deliciously fascinating - their forms, colours and flavours tantalise the senses; their names alone are enough to make your tongue tingle in anticipation. I've been growing far more chillies over the past few years than sanity should dictate. I'm drawn in by the evocative colour and spice of names like 'Bolivian Rainbow', 'Numex … Continue reading What’s In A Name? Capsicum Annuum
Centaurea montana is a useful plant for the late spring/early summer border. It has pollinator-friendly, delicate flowers with feather-like petals and was traditionally used to make a bitter tea to treat dyspepsia and as a diuretic. Originating in sub-alpine woods and meadows, the perennial cornflower has been naturalised in the UK since as early as 1597 when the herbalist … Continue reading What’s In A Name? Centaurea montana ‘Amethyst In Snow’
On Tuesday evening, David's Bookshop in Letchworth hosted a talk by botanist, writer and broadcaster James Wong on his new bestselling book. As usual James gave a lively and interesting talk in which he demonstrated a broad knowledge of the scientific data behind the ideas in the book. How To Eat Better is a cookbook with a difference. … Continue reading Book Review: James Wong’s ‘How To Eat Better’
Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens', also known as black lilyturf, black mondo or black dragon, is an evergreen perennial native to Japan. Despite having a grass-like appearance, it is a member of the Asparagacaea family, as is the similar grass-like Liriope muscari. 'Ophiopogon' comes from the Greek 'ophis' meaning 'serpent' and 'pogon' meaning 'beard'. The name presumably alludes to the … Continue reading What’s In A Name? Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’
A cosy window seat has to be the best place to curl up with a cup of tea and a good book. As a child, I preferred to read near the top of our tall Scots Pine, with a Famous Five and an apple from the garden. Now I favour the cushion-strewn window seat in the lounge which … Continue reading Book Review: RHS Plants From Pips and The Little Book of Hygge