The Sensuous Garden

by Monty Don

The sight of a graceful birch; the delicious scent of honeysuckle; the soft caress of billowing grass; the soothing trickle of a fountain; the sweetness of peas fresh from the gardens excite all our senses and bring us into close contact with nature. Make the most of the sensory opportunities provided by every element in the garden, from the soil itself to the plants and wildlife to the walls, surfaces, and structures. Through evocative, sometimes startling photographs, along with highly personal and poetic writing, you'll become vividly aware of seasonal changes; of the agave as an astonishing piece of living sculpture; of light diffused through leaves; of the smoothness of seed beans ready for planting; of the raging red that brightens autumn leaves and ripe berries; of the crisp chill in the garden asleep for the winter. The words and images will resonate long after the covers are closed. A Selection of Garden Book Club.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Nature, Horticulture

160 pages, Paperback

First published August 21, 1997

About the author

Montagu 'Monty' Denis Wyatt Don is a German-born British television presenter, writer and speaker on horticulture, known for presenting the BBC television series Gardeners' World.

Reviews

[Martina]

Years ago, while battling a seemingly intractable depression, I came upon this book in a bookstore. At the time, I was not a gardener and regarded yards as mostly a chore and constant reminder that I was falling short of neighborhood "standards" of well-groomed lawns. I still wonder what salutary instincts compelled me to buy this book. The Sensuous Garden is as much as a book about learning to appreciate the joys of ordinary life as it is about gardening. It is both healing and inspiring. The photographs are gorgeous and thoughtfully selected for their appeal to various senses, including the sense of intuition. What a gem!

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I have recently reviewed a few of my late wife's books. The books of actual paintings and some of the ones she used for inspiration that I have kept and that we both enjoyed. This is a book full of garden photos that can inspire an almost tactile sensation in themselves. Amazing photos...amazing "pictures". Enjoy.

[Nikky3]

The best love story I have ever read.

[Carrie]

I am obsessed with Monty Don. His approach to gardening is both poetic and philosophical while also practical. This book is an absolute delight — whether you consider yourself a gardener or not. On one level, it serves as a primer and reminder of how to truly observe the natural world, appreciating all its forms. On another, it provides inspiration for beginning gardeners like me to enjoy the process and the failures as much as the results and the successes.

[Bec]

This book is all about enjoying the garden with your senses, the colours, textures, light and shadows. It reminds you gardening is a person experience, not just a mechanical one.

Many years ago I borrowed this book from the library and it was such a beautiful book, I was glad to find my own copy in an Op shop more recently.

[Inana]

Why we garden. Really.

[Xenia andyourlittledog]

Being a huge fan of Gardeners World, this book was a treat. Monty expresses all the quiet delights of getting your hands dirty, crushing foliage between your fingers to release evocative aromas and the sublime feeling of being so connected to your garden that you can actually feel your plants growing. The photos are achingly lovely...bravo on a downright sexy book!

[Sara]

GORGEOUS photography! It encompasses all the senses!

[Ellie Lieberman]

Gardening at it's best! Simply beautiful!