Newsletter

A New Book from an Old Friend What hopeful words from the wonderful new book by my lovely English-American friend Pam Hubbard. It is published TODAY, so we are going to celebrate. The full title of the book is The Contemporary Cottage Garden, Climate-Friendly, Mindful Methods for Growing Flowers …

Continue Reading about February 2026 Newsletter: Exploring The Future Of The Cottage Garden

I Love Winter Best? The esteemed and prolific mid-20th century American garden writer, Helen Van Pelt Wilson, is a fan of cold winter gardens. As she clearly states in the quote above, she loves "winter best." She enjoys "the unique quality of winter" and thinks that "this fourth season is …

Continue Reading about January 2026 Newsletter: Finding Joy Through Winter

Connecting to the Past - Through Plants! Our quote at the top of this newsletter was written over 75 years ago by Louise B. Fisher, who was one of the early flower arrangers at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. I love the way that she thinks about certain plants and flowers as touchstones …

Continue Reading about December 2025 Newsletter: Is It Too Late To Plant Spring Bulbs

The Joys of Gardening Books Readers of this newsletter will know that I love a seasonally written book that contains chapters for each month of the year. Books like this are perfect to keep on your bedside table so that you can dip into them at the appropriate time of year. The selection of …

Continue Reading about November 2025 Newsletter: The Month of the Medlar Tree

My New Bulb Book This is a different format for my newsletter because I am so excited to announce the arrival of my new Bulb Book – The Essential Guide to Bulbs, Grow a Bounty of Beautiful Bulbs in Gardens and Containers. In the case of ‘The Bulb Book’, it is, and has been, a passion …

Continue Reading about October 2025 Newsletter: My New Book Is Available Now

New Bulb Book! My brand new book for Timber Press—The Essential Guide to Bulbs—is available for pre-order now at your local bookshop or online. It will be officially published in mid-October. I can’t wait to share it with you. It is full of helpful tips, inspirational photos and an extensive …

Continue Reading about September 2025 Newsletter: Finding Comfort in the Most Perfect Thing Flowers

The Zinnia's Revenge I love this quote because it shows that garden writers are humans too. We have our loves and hates just like everyone else! Henry was not a fan of zinnias, but I love them! He carries on writing, “This is when zinnias—and also marigolds, petunias, bedding begonias, …

Continue Reading about August 2025 Newsletter: Hot Off The Press My New Bulb Book

Colorific Collections How true is our quote from two accomplished gardeners, Nori and Sandra Pope (see book review below). Color in our gardens seems to be an endless source of fascination and confusion. Are there trends that we are meant to be following? Does this flower come in other colors? …

Continue Reading about July 2025 Newsletter: The Confounding Colors of Azaleas and Gladioli

Roses by Every Name Those of you who have read a few of these newsletters will know that I love gardening books that are organized by months or seasons. I love being able to dip into them and see the garden through the eyes of the author. What did they love at this time of year? Do I love the …

Continue Reading about June 2025 Newsletter: Roses by Every Name

May Is Here! As John Forti so wisely reminds us, it is a time for celebrations. The weather is finally warming up in the temperate zones of the Northern hemisphere. May in my garden brings lushness. The aura of fresh greenness prevails. The light takes on a different quality. Days are longer …

Continue Reading about May 2025 Newsletter: Have A Gardening Question For Me