Description: This anthology encompasses a rich legacy of gardening lore left to us by Gertrude Jekyll, (1843-1932) one of the great gardeners of the century and certainly one of the most influential. Her ten gardening books were published between 1899 and 1937 and it is from these that the excerpts in this anthology have been selected.

Trained at art school, Gertrude Jekyll developed strongly held views on design, form and the use of colour in the garden, and it is these views which are reflected in this selection which takes us through the year, season by season. Her observations will entertain those who delight in reading about the heart and soul of gardening as well as educate those with a more practical bent. Gertrude Jekyll's genius is to enthuse the reader to action by her straightforward, no nonsense approach which keeps her and her readers from becoming a slave to the garden or its plants.

The book is illustrated, not only with Gertrude Jekyll's own black and white photographs and drawings, but also with watercolours and paintings by contemporary artists.

Cherry Lewis's selection was based on the aim of going for 'observations' which would not only entertain those who delight in reading about the heart and soul as well the maintaining of a garden; but also to enthuse those who feel they want but can never quite get down to their gardens. As she points out, it is impossible to read Gertrude Jekyll without feeling spurred on because she never makes a mystery of gardening and her approach is so straightforward, down-to-earth and practical.

Here then is a rich legacy of gardening lore, its delights, disasters, its pleasures and practicalities. Since she wrote, times have changed: many ofthe plants referred to are no longer commonly seen or available; the classification of plant names is being altered continuously; gardens have shrunk in size and gardening help in quantity. What is remarkable is that so many of Gertrude Jekyll's writings remain relevant today.

Skilful editing has resulted in a truly representative selection which succeeds in conveying 'the lesson I have thoroughly learnt, and wish to pass on to others, is to know the enduring happiness that the love of a garden gives'.

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