Product Description

This is the classic work by a gardener who combines a passionate love of his subject with a critical intelligence and a good helping of wit. THE WELL-TEMPERED GARDEN is packed with the sort of information keen gardeners crave - from planting, weeding and the pleasures of propagation to annuals, water-lilies and worthwhile vegetables. Hailed as 'a really important addition to horticultural literature' when it was first published, THE WELL-TEMPERED GARDEN is as fresh and enlightening, and as entertaining, for gardeners in the 21st century as when it first appeared more than thirty years ago.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45073 in Books
• Published on: 2003-02-13
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

Review
'One of the definitive gardening books of the 20th century has been updated. When Christopher Lloyd, one of the UK's most respected plansmen, wrote the book, he established himself as one of those rare breeds of garden writers who not only writes about plants, but writes what he feels and thinks about them too ... The book is far from 'sanitised' - how refreshing!' (WATER GARDENER (April 03) )

'This updated classic is as entertaining and relevant to gardeners today as when it was first published, more than 30 years ago. Brimming with infomation on planting, weeding, pruning and more, Lloyd explores hundreds of garden plants, sharing his successes and failures along the way.' (GARDENS MONTHLY (May 03) )

'...packed with the sort of informatoin gardeners crave - from planting, propagation to the pleasures of wild gardening in grass, and fruit and vegetable specialities. He writes with gusto, giving his opinions, his likes and dislikes firmly without worrying whether we agree or disagree with him.' (COUNTRY HOUSE & HOME (April 03) )

'Christopher Lloyd's great classic, The Well-Tempered Garden, never disappoints me when I'm looking for inspiration... Lloyd has a wonderful way of describing plants - I can't look at a rhododendron without calling to mind his description of the foliage as "lugubrious", and his likening of gunera leaves in motion to the sound of "a giant shaving" makes me long for a windy day so I can visit a garden in which they are grown, lie on the grass with my eyes closed and listen.' (Stephanie Donaldson COUNTRY LIVING (December 03) )

Synopsis
This is the classic work by a gardener who combines a passionate love of his subject with a critical intelligence and a good helping of wit. THE WELL-TEMPERED GARDEN is packed with the sort of information keen gardeners crave - from planting, weeding and the pleasures of propagation to annuals, water-lilies and worthwhile vegetables. Hailed as 'a really important addition to horticultural literature' when it was first published, THE WELL-TEMPERED GARDEN is as fresh and enlightening, and as entertaining, for gardeners in the 21st century as when it first appeared more than thirty years ago.

About the Author
Christopher Lloyd was born in the fifteenth-century half-timbered manor house his parents bought at Great Dixter in 1910. All his life he has developed and refined his celebrated garden, constantly experimenting with new plants and ideas in the use of shape and colour. In 1979 the Royal Horticultural Society conferred on him its highest honour, the Victoria Medal of Honour, and in 2000 he was awarded the OBE in the New Year's Honour List. Only recently he was won the Garden Writers' Guild Reference Book of the Year Award with CHRISTOPHER LLOYD'S GARDEN FLOWERS.

Customer Reviews

The best
Christopher Lloyd was a passionate gardener with much practical experience from running his own extensive gardens at Great Dixter, Sussex. This book with over thirty sections under six main headings covers almost every aspect of gardening in a fresh and questioning manner, often dispelling long held opinions.

In addition the book is illustrated with many of the author's own photographs (1973 edition). It also has a glossary and substantial index.

Christopher Lloyd's writing is outspoken, opinionated, witty, entertaining, authoritative, practical, informative, one could go on, but above all it is a sheer pleasure to read. Without doubt Christopher Lloyd was one of the greatest garden writers, and this book must rank among his best. This offering notwithstanding its age is an absolute gem; with so many shallow gardening books now being published writing such calibre only goes to highlight the dearth of able garden writers today.

A superb read for any keen gardening bookworm.
As a recent garden convert, I found this book not only practical, but sensible and entertaining.

I have devoured many a gardening book and monthly magazine, but not one has explained ideas behind gardening in such an uncomplicated and chatty way.

I love the way he encourages the gardener to be flexible, experimental and instinctive. I finally understand pruning - so it must be good!

A gardening classic that doesn't date
Christophers writing on gardening is one of the few excuses busy gardeners have for staying in bed, being warm and indulging oneself and still enhancing our plant repetiore. I devour his books like the best of my home grown produce and for someone of his great years he is probably the greatest living gardener this green isle has to offer. I highly recommend anything he writes.