Helen Dillon and Anna Pavord

Some books are best borrowed from the public library: Like garden books with lots of pictures on subjects of interest by well-known authors. They're usually interesting but expensive which translates into nothing I absolutely need to add to my personal library. 

I'd been on the Madison library waiting list for Anna Pavord's book, "Bulbs," for months. When it finally arrived, I discovered it's huge, gorgeous and has lots of information on bulbs I can't grow (anything whose name begins with an X or Z). I did make a few notes on species I'm currently growing or want to try. But it is a definitive tome if the subject is dear to your heart, having untold numbers of bulbs listed alphabetically from Acis to Zigadenus. And multiple listings under almost every letter. The plant portraits are absolutely stunning and there are also images of assorted bulbs growing in place so you get a sense of scale and use. 

But my favorite things in Pavord's book were all the bits of history and the sweetly satisfying people photographs. There's a wonderful one of E A Bowles relaxing on a garden bench, and a portrait of Mrs. R. O. Backhouse (Sarah) of daffodil and martagon lily fame. Gardeners may know the names of these pioneers but few of us have ever seen a likeness. Almost worth the price of admission: $39.99. 

Here are Pavord's top ten bulbs from an article in the UK Telegraph newspaper.

 

I own Helen Dillon's "Garden Artistry" and have always loved her Dublin garden. Dillon is an author and public speaker who's also a true gardener with lots of advice and opinions. While her latest book, "Down to Earth," is literally about Dillon's own garden, her lessons have much broader application no matter where you live or how you garden. I enjoyed everything I read and came away with some very specific ideas for my own garden — like turning some of my boxwood balls into box bowls.

Dillon — like the late Christopher Lloyd — had no qualms about pulling out the central feature of her well-known garden. About ten years ago Dillon replaced her lawn with a water canal surrounded by hardscaping rather than green. It sent shock waves into the garden world, but looking at it now it was clearly the right decision by Dillon. 

She writes seriously — as well as amusingly — about wrong decisions, making changes and moving on. Dillon's tone is forthright and friendly if sometimes her concerns are a bit repetitive. She's had continuing problems with garden visitors who help themselves to her plants; something I think only happens when you and your garden are both famous!

I think this latest book is ideally suited to gardeners who've been at it a while and need someone with more experience to help them revisit and revise their own gardens. At $29.99, it's cheaper than flying to Dublin.

 

Note: I got both of these books from the public library and did not receive compensation of any kind for these reviews.

Comments

[Les]

I put Bulb on my Christmas list last year, and Santa came through. I have learned to let my wishes be known early, otherwise you get "gardener's gifts", not that I am an ingrate, I just rather have something I want or can use.

[Julie Siegel]

We are certainly not famous in our urban condo garden along the sidewalk where many dogs roam...but plants "walk" all the time. I only wish they would take the weedy invasive ones.

[Barbara H.]

Thanks for the great reviews, Linda. I'll have to check my library for these. I'm desperately trying to keep up with blog reading these days - one just leads to another, you know! Loved the textile porn and the garden chairs. It's finally cooling off enough in Alabama to get back to work outside, so no sitting for me - though I love having the chairs and/or benches so I know I could sit if I wanted.

[Barbara H.]

Oh my, I'm back already. I just looked at some of the garden photos on Dillon's site - what a treat! I'll have to save the rest for when I'm fresh. Thanks for introducing her to me!