The Garden Through the Year

by Thomas, Graham Stuart; Whitsey, Fred

• ISBN13: 9780898310771
• ISBN10: 0898310776
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-11-01
• Publisher: Sagapress

Summary

It is not likely that anyone has restored and maintained as many gardens as has Graham Stuart Thomas. And what gardens they are: at the castles, such as Powis, Scotney, and Sizergh; the parks, such as Sheffield, Tatton, and Stourhead; and at much-visited gems such as Hidcote Manor, Sissinghurst, and Snowshill. These are a few of the hundred or so garden properties in care of the National Trust for which he was responsible during 18 years as its horticultural advisor. In The Garden Through the Year Thomas offers not only his vast experience on behalf of the National Trust with plants that performed reliably and well, but also the discerning eye of one who filled his own small garden with the best of everything.

Table of Contents

Foreword	ix
Preface	xi
Introduction	xvii
WINTER
January	1	(12)
February	13	(14)
March	27	(18)
SPRING
April	45	(26)
May	71	(30)
June	101	(34)
SUMMER
July	135	(38)
August	173	(28)
September	201	(22)
AUTUMN
October	223	(18)
November	241	(26)
December	267	(12)
Envoi	279	(2)
Index	281	(21)
Photo Credits	302	(1)
Plant Hardiness Zones in the United States	303

Excerpts

While December brings us the joy of Christmas, the usual feeling is that poor November has little to recommend it, even for us gardeners. It is a time of sweeping away not only leaves, but also the last vestiges of summer. But the truth is not so dismal. With the leaves all fallen and carted away, or swept on to the borders under shrubs to provide mulch and increase humus, the light now falls more easily on the ground showing up fresh vistas and good greenery. In searching for diversion we shall discover flowers that we never thought to find in "dreary November". Trees, shrubs and perennials are all there to welcome us. There are even trees flowering.Alnus nitida -- although Alders as a group are far from showy trees in flower -- produces its catkins at this time of the year. Considering they are wind-pollinated, it is rather surprising that an Alder should select what is usually a damp period of the year to bring forth its flowers. They are of little account in the garden or woodland but serve as just another species that braves the weather. And brave it must be, for the last Buchan Cold Spell of the year occurs usually in about the second week of the month. A cold spell in November is sometimes valued: witness the old saying "If November ice will hold a duck, we shall have but slush and muck". Being interpreted, this intimates that if winter gets a good start before the end of the year, it often proves that the early months of the new year will not be severe. But who can predict the fickle British weather? Even Dr. Buchan, who kept records for some seventy years for Scotland, would be the first to admit the difficulty.Prunus subhirtella 'Autumnalis' will, before its leaves have all fallen, be opening its pinky-white flowers. This is a reliable tree of medium size and never fails to flower in autumn, winter and indeed spring in some years, whenever the weather is reasonably mild. When the leaves have fallen, it presents a cloud of blossom best seen against a dark background with the southern rays of sun shining upon it. Launched by Daisy Hill Nursery in County Down at the beginning of the twentieth century, it has never failed to astonish us gardeners. There is a pink variety 'Rosea' which some may prefer; they are both admirable for cut sprays to open indoors.Photo: Autumn scene at Lakemount, Glanmire, Ireland