We later visited Sienna Hosta who have since played an important part in Mary’s garden life, designing and building her new Hosta bed and providing expert Hosta advice. Finally, and particularly glorious in spring, was our trip to Taylors Bulbs in Spalding, where we walked amongst fields of gold, hosted by daffodil devotee, Adam Taylor.
It was an especially cold breezy day and Mary, ever the consummate professional with the stamina of an athlete, insisted on carrying on past lunchtime, despite my plea to retire temporarily for our baked potatoes! (Not, I hasten to add, prepared by myself, gardening is my forte, cookery is not!).
So, I have seen first-hand just how much Mary loves her plants! Conversations ran on long after the cameras stopped rolling and often recommendations were requested and orders placed - but back to this new must-have horticultural publication, which has only been on our shelves for a matter of weeks.
You’ll find a plethora of detailed descriptions of plants which Mary holds dear, along with her experiences both good and bad – proving we often learn from mistakes. It offers a real insight into her likes and dislikes, championing the virtues of one of her favourite roses ‘Chandos Beauty’ and regretting her decision to put lavender against a wall by her box hedge where it refused to perform and was, as a result, replaced by Agapanthus.
Mary’s love of traditional cottage garden plants is clear to see, with Phlox and Delphinium scoring highly. In fact, Delphinium ‘Molly Buchanan’ is named after her late aunt!
With a very personal first chapter, re-visiting memories of primrosing with grandparents and picking watercress with her mother, to thriving hanging baskets at her first marital home and right up-to-date in her new Henley garden, this really is a window into Mary’s horticultural history.
The second chapter looks at practicalities and how she gardens, while Chapter three takes us from spring through to winter, with all the plants, both edible and ornamental, which have a place in Mary’s space.
As if this wasn’t enough, there are contributions throughout the book from expert horticulturists, including Britain’s best loved gardener, whom I have the honour of sharing ITV screen time with, the legendary Alan Titchmarsh, plus a host of other botanical stalwarts such as South Gloucestershire herb queen Jekka McVivar and former RHS Wisley Curator, now at the helm of The Royal Parks, Matt Pottage.
This publication really is a green-fingered feast for all, guaranteed to bring plant-filled pleasure courtesy of a national treasure!
Catch Camilla with Alan Titchmarsh on ITV’s ‘Love Your Weekend regularly throughout the year.
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ENTERTAINMENT THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE
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