Gardening continued to absorb me through the years of school, university and devilling in London. Yes, I know it-some people are boring right from their earliest youth.
Any young man who is keen on gardening and knowledgeable about plants quickly attracts a fan club of elderly ladies. Such, at least, was my experience in the 1970s. It did not end when I got married.
As soon as the announcement of our engagement appeared in The Times nearly 50 years ago, the letters of congratulation in those pre-digital days all had the same question for me-does she like gardening? The answer was 'Yes'and, what's more, she likes roses.
It took me a while to understand why young plant lovers are so popular with experienced gardeners who have a lifetime of achievement behind them— the oldies want to pass on the torch. Horticulture in all its forms has given them much pleasure and they want to share their best plants, their books and their experience. Their generosity to the young is sometimes overwhelming, but such is their kindness that it is difficult to say 'No' to whatever one is offered.
Denne historien er fra May 08, 2024-utgaven av Country Life UK.
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Denne historien er fra May 08, 2024-utgaven av Country Life UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Kitchen garden cook - Apples
'Sweet and crisp, apples are the epitome of autumn flavour'
The original Mr Rochester
Three classic houses in North Yorkshire have come to the market; the owner of one inspired Charlotte Brontë to write Jane Eyre
Get it write
Desks, once akin to instruments of torture for scribes, have become cherished repositories of memories and secrets. Matthew Dennison charts their evolution
'Sloes hath ben my food'
A possible paint for the Picts and a definite culprit in tea fraud, the cheek-suckingly sour sloe's spiritual home is indisputably in gin, says John Wright
Souvenirs of greatness
FOR many years, some large boxes have been stored and forgotten in the dark recesses of the garage. Unpacked last week, the contents turned out to be pots: some, perhaps, nearing a century old—dense terracotta, of interesting provenance.
Plants for plants' sake
The garden at Hergest Croft, Herefordshire The home of Edward Banks The Banks family is synonymous with an extraordinary collection of trees and shrubs, many of which are presents from distinguished friends, garnered over two centuries. Be prepared to be amazed, says Charles Quest-Ritson
Capturing the castle
Seventy years after Christian Dior’s last fashion show in Scotland, the brand returned under creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri for a celebratory event honouring local craftsmanship, the beauty of the land and the Auld Alliance, explains Kim Parker
Nature's own cathedral
Our tallest native tree 'most lovely of all', the stately beech creates a shaded environment that few plants can survive. John Lewis-Stempel ventures into the enchanted woods
All that money could buy
A new book explores the lost riches of London's grand houses. Its author, Steven Brindle, looks at the residences of plutocrats built by the nouveaux riches of the late-Victorian and Edwardian ages
In with the old
Diamonds are meant to sparkle in candlelight, but many now gather dust in jewellery boxes. To wear them today, we may need to reimagine them, as Hetty Lintell discovers with her grandmother's jewellery
