Reading

Paul Bangay's latest book, Paul Bangay's Guide to Plants, will prove to be both a great inspiration and reference book, I think.

It has a full page of information for each plant and the book is broken into chapters - Hedges, Shrubs, Groundcovers, Climbers, Perennials and Grasses, Trees, Textural Plants and Plants for Pots.  It is not an exhaustive list, more what Paul considers his favourites or most useful plants.  Which is exactly the appeal for us.  It's an already edited selection of exactly the type of plants we plan to use.

A few years ago we bought this book of Paul's and have looked through it so many times the pages are nearly worn.  And, while we don't aspire to his style exactly for ourselves, it certainly has been invaluable in helping us develop a picture of the looser, more casual interpretation we'd like to create here at Hat Hill Farm.

I hope our Boston Ivy looks like that one day!  

 

My photos here are not great.  Simon Griffiths, the books photographer, has done a superb job.  The book itself is truly beautiful and a lovely addition to our growing library.