Emily Dickinson's Gardens: A Celebration of a Poet and Gardener

by Marta McDowell

A beautifully illustrated gift book exploring the flowers and poems of the beloved "Belle of Amherst"





A woman who found great solace in gardens, Emily Dickinson filled her poetry with references to her flowers. Now, in Emily Dickinson's Gardens, author Marta McDowell invites poetry and gardening lovers alike to explore the words and wildflowers of one of America's best-loved poets.





Each chapter of this illustrated book follows a different season in the gardens, conservatories, and Amherst environs where the poet tended, collected, and drew inspiration from flowers.





"Here is a brighter garden" where you will





Excerpts from Dickinson's poetry and letters

Historical details about the poet's life, emphasizing her horticultural interests

Instructions on how to create an Emily Dickinson garden of your own, including plans, design ideas, plant sources, and growing tips

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, Gardening, Biography, Nature, Plants, History

176 pages, Hardcover

First published October 20, 2004

About the author

I live, garden and write in Chatham, New Jersey where I share my garden with my husband, Kirke, assorted wildlife and approximately 10,000 honey bees. You will often find me at the New York Botanical Garden, where I teach landscape history and gardening courses. My new book, All the Presidents' Gardens, is coming out from Timber Press in October 2016. (I'm excited!) When I'm not gardening I like to read and knit and cook and eat, though not all at the same time.

My husband, Kirke, summarizes my biography as “I am therefore I dig.”

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful book! (although the subtitle of the version I have is "The Plants & Places that Inspired the Iconic Poet). The book is structured around "the Turning of the Year" - early spring, late spring, early summer, late summer, etc. The last three chapters involve Emily Dickinson's garden which is located near Amherst College in Massachusetts. There is a continual sprinkling of photographs and poems throughout with an annotated list of Emily Dickinson's plants. This book is a great gift for a gardener, especially one who appreciates American history and/or poetry.

[Chavelli Sulikowska · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like Emily Dickinson is my spirit guide. This book was perfect for me, combining floribunda anecdotes interspersed with posies of poetry. Reading it was like lazing on a cloud and counting daisies. Literary luxuriousness. Such a shame her life was snipped short, but how lucky we all are to still enjoy not only her poetic eloquence but also her naturalist passions...

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh, the idea was nice but the execution had no soul. I liked the old black and white photos of her house but it would have been better with more substance all 'round. None of the good ideas were carried to fruition. And the pale green text was hard to see. Should have not only mentioned her favorite garden and wildflowers but everything else she grew in her garden (flowerng vines, trees, fruits and vegetables, herbs) and then modern photos of each with info about each. And more poetry. There was very little poetry.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a wonderful mix about Emily Dickinson's gardens, her poetry, and general gardening advice.

[Jennielou]

A great combination of two of my favourite things- poetry and gardening. Well written with lots of biography thrown in. It was very neat to see the plants that Emily loved and wrote about.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently visited Emily Dickinson's house in Amherst Ma and was a little disappointed in the gardens. After looking through her herbarium book (there is a link through the Harvard Univ website for a digitalized view of this magnificent collection) I was expecting to feel some inspiration through the property gardens...the house and staff were great but I suppose I was looking for something along the gardens and didn't quite feel it. Then I bought Marta McDowell's book used as I don't think it is being published presently- this is where I found what I was looking for. I enjoyed this book very much. I learned so much about a Emily and her life amongst the gardens, also this book is full of garden hints and helpful information.

[Poiema · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely gift for a gardening friend, or someone who wants to further explore the setting in which Emily Dickinson wrote her poems. What could make a better combination than gardening and poetry?