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Writers was- Re: Name tangles and .......
Tim wrote:
>So many gardening books are so bland
>- purveying a world in which all the gardens are perfect, all the
>gardeners are Sweethearts of the Compost Heap -, it's a positive
>relief to come across a garden writer who can BITE! A pleasurable
>relief which reveals my deplorable character, I guess...
Oh how I agree with you there! (not the deplorable character bit) One
of my favourite gardening writers is Christopher Lloyd of Great Dixter
fame. He is very positive in his likes and dislikes and decidedly
irascible at times. Not one to mince his words, Lloyd will either wax
lyrical or completely discard at the drop of a hat. I like this in
people, it shows great character and sense of purpose. It also shows
a passion for plants which far outstrips that of the 'blandies' of
today.
Some years ago, he came down here to South Devon and looking at the
permanent sub-tropical plantings in several locally, well known
gardens, took much of what he'd seen, on-board, in a big way. Back at
Dixter in Sussex, he ripped out established rose plantings (much to
the horror and astonishment of the 'gardening luvvies') and replaced
then with great swatches of immense leaved Cannas, Basjoo Bananas and
the like. He really loved the stunned reaction of those who thought
Dixter should remain a museum of early and mid 20th century gardening
and not a living, breathing garden that should evolve rather than
stagnate. Many were quite convinced the old fellah had 'lost it', but
now a few years on, most have to admit, the 'new' planting is most
impressive and a great success.
David Poole
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