Product Description

Christopher Lloyd was the grand old man of British gardening and gardening writers. From 1989 until 2006 - when he died aged 84 - he produced his Guardian column from his beloved house and garden, Great Dixter in East Sussex. His knowledge as a plantsman was prodigious, yet he wrote in an easy, direct and vigorous manner, advising, entertaining and cajoling his readers as he guided them through the gardening year. In January, he recommended the purchase of a notebook with a weatherproof cover since 'the dead season is just the moment for the fun of catalogue browsing'. Nothing was too small for his sharply observant eye: 'Paving cracks colonised with little plants add a touch of magic to the garden. Once you start experimenting, you'll get carried along. Just see.'Preparing the ground, planting for summer scent, choosing a shrub for all-year round pleasure, pruning, going organic, cottage gardens, placing a favourite hellebore, thinking about conifers or growing your own veg - all fell within his purview. And, in everything he wrote, he transmitted his huge appetite and enthusiasm for the pleasure that a garden brings.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #53652 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

Daily Express
`his invaluable advice and inspirational love of gardening is gathered here in one delightful bedside volume'

The Bookseller
`A year-round delight for any green-fingered dad'

The Good Book Guide
'This is the ideal book to inspire gardeners... the book is a
pleasure to read for its own sake'

Customer Reviews

He never disappoints
When you pick up a book by Christopher Lloyd you get quality. Whatever he says about a plant you know that he knows this because he has grown it himself. His recommendations and non- are based on years of expertise. As well as that his books ooze personality. He has strong views on many things, not least the 'taste police' and advocates gardening to please only oneself. He is famous for his use of colour and for upsetting the 'establishment', and a great sense of fun and mischief comes through the pages. Inspirational.
This book is set out following the calendar year and I make notes as I go along - there is so much information.
He has never disappointed.

An essential compendium from one of the best
Christopher Lloyd was the first garden writer I really took note of. His weekly column in Saturday's The Guardian became a must-read.

Sadly he is no more, but Cuttings brings together a selection of the best of his Guardian columns into one glorious volume. Christopher Lloyd was never afraid to speak his mind. He could be witty, cutting, wise - and all three were often found in one sentence. He vouched for Dahlias long before they came into fashion again and his stories of how he and Fergus Garrett planned the gardens at his home at Great Dixter always delighted.

Long after I finished reading this book, it has remained on my bedside table to dip into again and again.

BRILLIANT
I really enjoy Christopher Lloyd's writing, not only is it spot on gardening advice but it is a really enjoyable, entertaining read. It sounds like a criticism, but it is not it intended to be, that I read this book when I find it hard to sleep, also "the well-tempered Garden" - as well as PG Wodehouse!