When Barack Obama was having a particularly trying day, he would apparently often fantasise about abandoning the White House for Hawaii, where he would open a T-shirt shack that only sold white T-shirts in size medium. I have little in common with the former US President, but I too entertain a T-shirt-based fantasy: making a small run of ethically produced shirts that read: 'Colour schemes are for Monty.
Is it the ultimate gardening in-joke? I think so. It's not of my own creation. A couple of summers ago, while despairing at the motley collection of orange, yellow and pink flowers that appeared in the first bed I'd ever planted, a friend sympathised. "Don't fret about it," she said. "Colour schemes are for Monty."
Monty, of course, being Don, the Gardeners' World host and custodian of a couple of acres filled with a dozen different gardens, each with their own meticulous colour scheme. In this instance he's a by-word for Proper Gardeners: ones whose beds and pots are an elegant cohesion of carefully chosen tones, who never get distracted by a lurid impulse purchase or find a rogue red poppy standing tall among a sea of violet blooms.
Denne historien er fra April 2023-utgaven av Gardens Illustrated.
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Denne historien er fra April 2023-utgaven av Gardens Illustrated.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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WHY SHOULD I VOLUNTEER?
Giving your free time to volunteer in the community or as a mentor can have a big impact, and also benefit you in ways you can't imagine, says John Wyer
EARTHLY CONCERN
Weeds, slugs, birds and mice - all are welcome on Birch Farm in Devon, where Joshua Sparkes seeks to respect the local ecosystem and mimic nature in his innovative approach to growing
Gardening is good for you
In the first of his new factual column on the benefits of gardening, Dr Richard Claxton uncovers all the evidence-based ways it can help your physical health.
TANGERINE DREAM
On the edge of one of London's busiest roundabouts, Nigel Dunnett has created exciting combinations of drought-tolerant plants for a roof garden that is as unexpected as it is joyful
GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT
Growing your own edible plants is a great way to boost your gut microbiome. Discover expert picks of edimentals that are both beautiful and beneficial
Waste not, nice plot
Designer Miria Harris gave herself the challenge of a no-skip, zero-waste project, giving away, recycling or reusing everything in this back garden before transforming it into a space her client could love
One for all
A new community garden designed by Sarah Price around an old library turned arts centre in southeast London is a treasured space for local residents and garden lovers alike
Meet our horticultural HEROES
Discover the stories of the extraordinary garden champions who are making a difference to places, people, plants and the planet
SHARE AND SHARE ALIKE
In the culinary world, chefs and food writers sometimes closely guard their recipes, says Nigel Slater. Among gardeners, however, there is a refreshing spirit of generosity
Autumn at Sissinghurst
As the garden slips into a new season, head gardener Troy Scott Smith and his team are busy with tasks from hedge cutting and lawn work to bulb planting and sowing seeds.
