| Author of Colour for Adventurous Gardeners, Christopher Lloyd has at his disposal a long lifetime of expertise as a plantsman, an engaging, occasionally acerbic prose style and a beautiful and important garden at Great Dixter in East Sussex. He is also profoundly aware of the importance of tradition in gardening, yet in the way of those who have mastered their difficult craft is able to throw out without a qualm received ideas that have been sanctioned by the practice of generations. The title of Colour for Adventurous Gardeners signals its provocative thesis: that boldness and contrast are as effective in the garden as harmony and theming. "Given the right circumstances", writes Lloyd, "I believe that every colour can be successfully used with any other." Colour in itself is dealt with less frequently than one might expect by other gardening writers, but here Christopher Lloyd explores the subject with great thoroughness. Indeed, he devotes a whole chapter (there are 11 in all) to each of the main garden colours: red, orange, mauve, the many blues, pink, white and (of course) green. He even tackles the more enigmatic and difficult brown and black. Important and significant plants within each are described, with due emphasis given to form, habit and structure. A beautiful colour may be let down by a short flowering season or clumsy shape. Contrasts of hue and texture are everywhere informed by Lloyd's eclectic but impeccable eye and vast knowledge. Jonathan Buckley's beautiful photographs, mostly taken in Lloyd's own garden, are an inspiration in themselves. This really is quite a remarkable and unusual book, though no less than one would expect. --Robin Davidson |
