What do you think?
Rate this book
Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life: The Plants and Places That Inspired the Classic Children's Tales
A New York Times Bestseller
There aren’t many books more beloved than The Tale of Peter Rabbit and even fewer authors as iconic as Beatrix Potter. Her characters—Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle Duck, and all the rest—exist in a charmed world filled with flowers and gardens. In Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life , bestselling author Marta McDowell explores the origins of Beatrix Potter’s love of gardening and plants and shows how this passion came to be reflected in her work.
The book begins with a gardener’s biography, highlighting the key moments and places throughout her life that helped define her. Next, follow Beatrix Potter through a year in her garden, with a season-by-season overview of what is blooming that truly brings her gardens alive. The book culminates in a traveler’s guide, with information on how and where to visit Potter’s gardens today.
There aren’t many books more beloved than The Tale of Peter Rabbit and even fewer authors as iconic as Beatrix Potter. Her characters—Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle Duck, and all the rest—exist in a charmed world filled with flowers and gardens. In Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life , bestselling author Marta McDowell explores the origins of Beatrix Potter’s love of gardening and plants and shows how this passion came to be reflected in her work.
The book begins with a gardener’s biography, highlighting the key moments and places throughout her life that helped define her. Next, follow Beatrix Potter through a year in her garden, with a season-by-season overview of what is blooming that truly brings her gardens alive. The book culminates in a traveler’s guide, with information on how and where to visit Potter’s gardens today.
340 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2013
172 people are currently reading
3147 people want to read
About the author
Marta McDowell
19 books233 followersI 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.”
My husband, Kirke, summarizes my biography as “I am therefore I dig.”
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
July 1, 2021
Anyone interested in gardening, biography, and the creative process will find this book enchanting. Potter was far more than just the creator of Peter Cottontail and Mr. McGregor; she was a watercolorist, a farmer, an enchanting personality. This elegant book's carefully researched text, accompanied by period photographs, Potter illustrations, and recent photographs, captures Potter's wide-ranging interests. The book shows us a complex and accomplished woman.
May 14, 2022
” I am always better on fine days when I can work in the garden.”
Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life is a lovely biography of Potter’s life via photos, quotes from personal correspondence, and her watercolor drawings of flora and places that impacted her character and were the origins from which she drew inspiration for her beloved children’s tales like The Tale of Peter Rabbit.
Forty percent of this book contains photos that are best viewed in a print format. The first half is her biography – this is the part I most enjoyed. The author seamlessly incorporated a rich visual display with the text that is beautifully written and quite interesting. The second half had a seasonal guide to Potter’s Garden (from a theoretical viewpoint rather than from a garden journal.) Each season and its flora and climate are described in detail along with artwork. I found this less engaging overall. Lastly, there are notes for making a pilgrimage to view Potter’s gardens. And an index of plants she had in her gardens and an index of plants in her books complete this treasure for Beatrix Potter enthusiasts.
“Beatrix discovered that gardening is an ongoing experiment, and sometimes a trial to one’s patience.” This statement and the book in general were a source of inspiration for my gardening thoughts. Like Potter, I developed an interest in garden later in life – though I would never achieve the practice on her scale! Besides gardening, she developed interests in farming and animals which seems natural for her given her personality.
“She left a legacy of land as well as words and pictures.” By acquiring a huge estate, in addition to her already large holdings, she made efforts “to conserve the Lake District and, more broadly, sites of history and natural beauty around England.” She was “landscaping on a regional scale.” She bequeathed 4000+ acres to a National Trust.
Recommended for anyone who enjoys nature/gardening, watercolors, historic photographs.
Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life is a lovely biography of Potter’s life via photos, quotes from personal correspondence, and her watercolor drawings of flora and places that impacted her character and were the origins from which she drew inspiration for her beloved children’s tales like The Tale of Peter Rabbit.
Forty percent of this book contains photos that are best viewed in a print format. The first half is her biography – this is the part I most enjoyed. The author seamlessly incorporated a rich visual display with the text that is beautifully written and quite interesting. The second half had a seasonal guide to Potter’s Garden (from a theoretical viewpoint rather than from a garden journal.) Each season and its flora and climate are described in detail along with artwork. I found this less engaging overall. Lastly, there are notes for making a pilgrimage to view Potter’s gardens. And an index of plants she had in her gardens and an index of plants in her books complete this treasure for Beatrix Potter enthusiasts.
“Beatrix discovered that gardening is an ongoing experiment, and sometimes a trial to one’s patience.” This statement and the book in general were a source of inspiration for my gardening thoughts. Like Potter, I developed an interest in garden later in life – though I would never achieve the practice on her scale! Besides gardening, she developed interests in farming and animals which seems natural for her given her personality.
“She left a legacy of land as well as words and pictures.” By acquiring a huge estate, in addition to her already large holdings, she made efforts “to conserve the Lake District and, more broadly, sites of history and natural beauty around England.” She was “landscaping on a regional scale.” She bequeathed 4000+ acres to a National Trust.
Recommended for anyone who enjoys nature/gardening, watercolors, historic photographs.
November 13, 2013
A Review of “Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life”
The plants and places that inspired the classic children’s tales
By Marta McDowell
Only rarely in a reader’s life will a book come along a book that is so perfectly suited for the reader’s character that it brings out the schoolgirl in her and perhaps a squeal of delight and a series of silly, wistful sighs.
Reader, that is what Marta McDowell’s latest book has done for me. I admit I didn’t exactly love her book on Emily’s Dickinson’s garden but perhaps it was just my lack of enthusiasm for Dickinson herself that underwhelmed me. What a contrast is this treasure before me now. Shall I tell you all the things I love about it?
The cover is what delights the eyes at once. Part of the wonder of Beatrix Potter was that she was an amazingly accomplished artist, even from a young age. The cover is beautiful and includes a watercolor of a sweet garden gate, another of a handful of adorable little guinea pigs busy at their vegetable patch (both done by Potter, of course) and a wonderful old black and white photograph of Potter herself looking young and radiant with a posy under her nose. The colors are charming in the way that all her watercolors are.
Of course that sent me, with schoolgirl squeals, diving into the book where I was happy to discover a most generous selection of photographs and examples of her art; watercolors, sketches and even maps of the places important in her life.
The book is organized into three main parts. The first is about her life in general and all the people and places that influenced her work and her gardening. The photographs of these people and places are the best collection of such that I’ve seen.
The second part is about “The Year in Beatrix Potter’s Garden”. Here McDowell explores the day to day gardening life of Potter through each of the seasons of winter, spring, summer and fall. She really is gifted writer. Here’s an example of what could have been just a simple intro to the bit about winter. See for yourself how skillfully she takes the reader to Sawrey in winter. “Winter perches on Sawrey like a large black bird. The nights draw out into the darkness of the north, cut by glow of lamplight and the smell of fireplaces burning wood and coal in the village cottages. It is the selvedge of the year.” See what I mean? The book if full of bits like that. So pretty.
The third part, “Visiting Beatrix Potter’s Gardens” left me delighted and deeply, deeply envious of McDowell, who has tromped all over England to write this book. One thing I’ve liked about reading since I first picked up the habit is that it can take you anywhere in the world you care to go for the trouble of opening a book. After reading this section, I feel like I, too, have tromped ‘round the lake district and seen the green gate of Hilltop Farm. I have believe I was there in another life or in a dream.
Just when you think the charming journey into the life of dear Beatrix Potter is over, you find one final gem at the back of the book. Something those of us who garden and also love our favorite writers like sisters will pounce upon with glee, and perhaps another squeal. It is a lovely list of Potter’s plants. But not just any old list. No! It includes each plant’s common name, botanical name, type of plant (shrub, perennial, etc) and the primary source from where she found it (which exact letter written by or to Potter where it was mentioned). I know. You’re in raptures. But I’m not done. Next there’s a chart/list of plants in her books. It includes what book, date, common and botanical names, and whether the reference was text or artwork. Squeal! I do apologize to non-gardening readers, you probably don’t understand the pleasure to be found when traipsing through ones’ own garden and pointing out to a friend and saying, “Look there. That’s a variegated geranium I planted after reading that Beatrix Potter book. It’s just like the one on page 20 of The Fairy Caravan.” Sigh. The rest of the book is a fancy index and lists of books for further reading.
It’s a lovely book, sure to delight the following: children’s literature fans, children’s lit illustrators fans, gardening enthusiasts and Anglophiles. Sigh, I am all of the above. Thanks to Ms McDowell for sending this lovely autographed copy of what has become one of the great treasures of my library.
The plants and places that inspired the classic children’s tales
By Marta McDowell
Only rarely in a reader’s life will a book come along a book that is so perfectly suited for the reader’s character that it brings out the schoolgirl in her and perhaps a squeal of delight and a series of silly, wistful sighs.
Reader, that is what Marta McDowell’s latest book has done for me. I admit I didn’t exactly love her book on Emily’s Dickinson’s garden but perhaps it was just my lack of enthusiasm for Dickinson herself that underwhelmed me. What a contrast is this treasure before me now. Shall I tell you all the things I love about it?
The cover is what delights the eyes at once. Part of the wonder of Beatrix Potter was that she was an amazingly accomplished artist, even from a young age. The cover is beautiful and includes a watercolor of a sweet garden gate, another of a handful of adorable little guinea pigs busy at their vegetable patch (both done by Potter, of course) and a wonderful old black and white photograph of Potter herself looking young and radiant with a posy under her nose. The colors are charming in the way that all her watercolors are.
Of course that sent me, with schoolgirl squeals, diving into the book where I was happy to discover a most generous selection of photographs and examples of her art; watercolors, sketches and even maps of the places important in her life.
The book is organized into three main parts. The first is about her life in general and all the people and places that influenced her work and her gardening. The photographs of these people and places are the best collection of such that I’ve seen.
The second part is about “The Year in Beatrix Potter’s Garden”. Here McDowell explores the day to day gardening life of Potter through each of the seasons of winter, spring, summer and fall. She really is gifted writer. Here’s an example of what could have been just a simple intro to the bit about winter. See for yourself how skillfully she takes the reader to Sawrey in winter. “Winter perches on Sawrey like a large black bird. The nights draw out into the darkness of the north, cut by glow of lamplight and the smell of fireplaces burning wood and coal in the village cottages. It is the selvedge of the year.” See what I mean? The book if full of bits like that. So pretty.
The third part, “Visiting Beatrix Potter’s Gardens” left me delighted and deeply, deeply envious of McDowell, who has tromped all over England to write this book. One thing I’ve liked about reading since I first picked up the habit is that it can take you anywhere in the world you care to go for the trouble of opening a book. After reading this section, I feel like I, too, have tromped ‘round the lake district and seen the green gate of Hilltop Farm. I have believe I was there in another life or in a dream.
Just when you think the charming journey into the life of dear Beatrix Potter is over, you find one final gem at the back of the book. Something those of us who garden and also love our favorite writers like sisters will pounce upon with glee, and perhaps another squeal. It is a lovely list of Potter’s plants. But not just any old list. No! It includes each plant’s common name, botanical name, type of plant (shrub, perennial, etc) and the primary source from where she found it (which exact letter written by or to Potter where it was mentioned). I know. You’re in raptures. But I’m not done. Next there’s a chart/list of plants in her books. It includes what book, date, common and botanical names, and whether the reference was text or artwork. Squeal! I do apologize to non-gardening readers, you probably don’t understand the pleasure to be found when traipsing through ones’ own garden and pointing out to a friend and saying, “Look there. That’s a variegated geranium I planted after reading that Beatrix Potter book. It’s just like the one on page 20 of The Fairy Caravan.” Sigh. The rest of the book is a fancy index and lists of books for further reading.
It’s a lovely book, sure to delight the following: children’s literature fans, children’s lit illustrators fans, gardening enthusiasts and Anglophiles. Sigh, I am all of the above. Thanks to Ms McDowell for sending this lovely autographed copy of what has become one of the great treasures of my library.
March 17, 2022
Beautifully written and illustrated, Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life: The plants and places that inspired the classic children's tales is an enchanting portrait of the beloved writer and artist. There are some lovely ideas here for those of us who garden. :) A must read and one for the keeper shelf.
February 28, 2023
I have a black thumb, so much of the discussion of what Beatrix Potter planted where went over my head, but it was a sweet read. I liked the way that she discussed what plants were drawn in the stories.
August 4, 2023
Поредната красива книжка за Беатрикс Потър. Първата част, в която се разказва за нейния живот от гледна точка на градинарството, е любимата ми. Третата част също ми допадна, тъй като е посветена на всички градини, които са имали влияние върху нейния живот, идеално за сглобяване на itinerary, посветено на Беатрикс Потър.
Втората част е посветена на една година в градината й в Hill Top Farm Garden и вероятно не ми допадна заради твърде поетичното описание, но истината е как да опишеш градина, освен поетично?
Много красива книжка, има много илюстрации, стари и нови снимки, но можех и още да поема. Има нужда светът от арт книга за Потър без думи, само със снимки и илюстрации, това би било невероятно книжно бижу да притежаваш. :)
Втората част е посветена на една година в градината й в Hill Top Farm Garden и вероятно не ми допадна заради твърде поетичното описание, но истината е как да опишеш градина, освен поетично?
Много красива книжка, има много илюстрации, стари и нови снимки, но можех и още да поема. Има нужда светът от арт книга за Потър без думи, само със снимки и илюстрации, това би било невероятно книжно бижу да притежаваш. :)
November 13, 2020
"Every garden tells a story, if you know how to read it."
A truly delightful book is so beautifully presented.
Marta McDowell takes us into the background of
Beatrix Potter, complete with photographs of her
life, giving us more of an intimate portrait of the
passionate gardener of her solitary pursuits as a
writer as well as a painter.
The book includes Miss Potter's pen and ink
drawings, talented watercolor illustrations,
which was lovely to see what she captured in
her time. I found her insights inspiring, as have
many gardening enthusiast, from novice to avid.
Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life has become a
perennial favorite and one definitely recommend
to friends.
A truly delightful book is so beautifully presented.
Marta McDowell takes us into the background of
Beatrix Potter, complete with photographs of her
life, giving us more of an intimate portrait of the
passionate gardener of her solitary pursuits as a
writer as well as a painter.
The book includes Miss Potter's pen and ink
drawings, talented watercolor illustrations,
which was lovely to see what she captured in
her time. I found her insights inspiring, as have
many gardening enthusiast, from novice to avid.
Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life has become a
perennial favorite and one definitely recommend
to friends.
March 4, 2014
What a breath of fresh air. Just what I needed for spring, in the midst of grey skies and chill that go along with my main reading this winter on the history of Berlin. Beatrix and her bunnies bounced through my weekend. I wouldn't have even cared if her Peter had gnawed on my garden. He'd have to gnaw very hard to get through the frozen stems. I'd call this book thin, except that it's hefty. The reproductions of her watercolors are delightful. McDowell paired botanicals with examples of the plants in her published books in an enchanting way. Both archival photographs and modern photos of her gardens adorn the book. It's a quick read, but the high quality paper, excellent for photos, make the book, even with its sweet dimensions, a heavy tome. This is light but not without research. McDowell knows Potter's biography and knows plants. An excellent pairing. I cannot wait to give this as a gift.
March 10, 2023
A gorgeous book filled with Potter's own art and illustrations, both from her gardens and her books, photographs of her beloved Hill Farm, and a brief biography. It was a perfect read for late winter as I consider what I will plant in the garden come spring!
First, McDowell considers Potter's life as a gardener, from the gardens that she played in as a child to her own life as a gardener. She really comes alive in these pages.
Part Two takes us through a year in Potter's garden, describing the plants in each season.
Part Three is a virtual tour with information on visiting the gardens talked about in the book.
Lists of the plants Potter had in her gardens, and where they are referenced in her letters and in her books, finishes up the study.
Just lovely.
First, McDowell considers Potter's life as a gardener, from the gardens that she played in as a child to her own life as a gardener. She really comes alive in these pages.
Part Two takes us through a year in Potter's garden, describing the plants in each season.
Part Three is a virtual tour with information on visiting the gardens talked about in the book.
Lists of the plants Potter had in her gardens, and where they are referenced in her letters and in her books, finishes up the study.
Just lovely.
July 12, 2023
Well, this was a ridiculously cozy book filled with wonderful pictures and paintings and plants. So, excuse me while I go pack my bags and fly to the Lake District to see the world of Beatrix Potter.
Yes. I truly enjoyed this book.
Yes. I truly enjoyed this book.
June 6, 2025
the beginning of this book was slow and fluffy I felt. the second half it did better and I enjoyed it. That first part was about her beginnings and the second about her life and gardening in the country. Well worth reading for that and the drawings and pictures if you enjoy plants.
May 20, 2020
Very enjoyable.
April 19, 2024
Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life is a nonfiction book by Marta McDowell, published in 2013.
📚This is a fun book for the admirers of the stories and illustrations of Peter Rabbit. It’s also for those who are also gardeners.
WHAT’S TO LOVE? I enjoyed a fun romp (doesn’t that remind you of Peter Rabbit?) in this book, reading about the correlation of Beatrix Potter’s artistic mind whether in her sketchbook or her garden.
This is a VERY detailed biography of sorts of Potter’s entire existence. Almost too much. Even me, an avid Peter Rabbit fan, enjoyed reading the highlights and looking at the photographs, and Potter’s sketches.
As a writer AND gardener myself, I loved this profound observation by McDowell:
I am intrigued by writers who garden and by gardeners who write. The pen and the trowel are not interchangeable but seem often linked. Emily Dickinson, Edith Wharton, and Jane Austen are novelists with a gardening bent.
CAUSE FOR PAUSE? It could have been shorter. No complaints!
CONSIDER READING IF… you want to enter through the garden gate of Beatrix Potter to see how she gardened first with pencil and paintbrush. 😀
MY RATING 🌟🌟🌟
☕📚
📚This is a fun book for the admirers of the stories and illustrations of Peter Rabbit. It’s also for those who are also gardeners.
WHAT’S TO LOVE? I enjoyed a fun romp (doesn’t that remind you of Peter Rabbit?) in this book, reading about the correlation of Beatrix Potter’s artistic mind whether in her sketchbook or her garden.
This is a VERY detailed biography of sorts of Potter’s entire existence. Almost too much. Even me, an avid Peter Rabbit fan, enjoyed reading the highlights and looking at the photographs, and Potter’s sketches.
As a writer AND gardener myself, I loved this profound observation by McDowell:
I am intrigued by writers who garden and by gardeners who write. The pen and the trowel are not interchangeable but seem often linked. Emily Dickinson, Edith Wharton, and Jane Austen are novelists with a gardening bent.
CAUSE FOR PAUSE? It could have been shorter. No complaints!
CONSIDER READING IF… you want to enter through the garden gate of Beatrix Potter to see how she gardened first with pencil and paintbrush. 😀
MY RATING 🌟🌟🌟
☕📚
May 19, 2020
A bold move to kill off the protagonist 40% of the way through the book! First we run through a biography of Beatrix Potter's life told through the gardens she knew and owned, and that simply ticked my boxes.
Then we take a seasonal tour through a typical year in her Lake District lands, which had me looking up all the namedropped plants and flowers to get the full visual experience. A perfect green remedy for quarantine in a flat whose only balcony plant is a dead Christmas tree!
Then we take a seasonal tour through a typical year in her Lake District lands, which had me looking up all the namedropped plants and flowers to get the full visual experience. A perfect green remedy for quarantine in a flat whose only balcony plant is a dead Christmas tree!
March 13, 2014
Beautiful, beautiful book. I wish I had had more time to read it before the library wanted it back.
February 6, 2019
"Beatrix Potter's Gardening Life: The Plants and Places that Inspired the Classic Children's Tales" - written by Marta McDowell and published in 2013 by Timber Press. The iconic, delightful illustrations of Peter Rabbit, Mr McGregor's gardens and other floral scenes were not the only artistic achievements of Beatrix Potter. She excelled at watercolor landscapes and detailed botanical drawings, all based on her strong interests in gardening and farming. Her grandfather Edmund Potter employed fifteen gardeners on his estate and Beatrix was indulged as a child to explore and investigate. Being a somewhat solitary creature for much of her life, things changed in 1902 when "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" was published - "Her little books brought Beatrix Potter out of her shell." Author McDowell must have been enchanted to recognize scenes from Potter's books in the surroundings where she actually lived - doorways, gates, flowers, et al. McDowell has done a masterful job of telling the story of Potter's life and especially linking it to the flowers and other elements of nature that were so important to her. A lovely book. "Seeds are tiny bundles of next year's garden, there for the asking."
June 9, 2024
I do not think that I ever really read a Beatrix Potter book. I have always admired her watercolors though😍
But when I heard about a few books about her and her gardens I became highly intrigued. And now I want to move to Hill Top Farm ASAP!
After reading this book I’m am positive that we would have been best friends in her day (I have always felt that I was born in the wrong time). We would have shared plants and painted watercolors all around Sawrey. Oh I wish!
I took many things away from this book but the main one that I agree with her so much about is this:
“I’m sure I am doing good in trying to save anything I can of our Lake country from being vulgarized,” she said, “for as true education advances, the beauty of unspoilt nature will be appreciated, and it would be a pity if the appreciation came too late.”
(She bought up some neighboring farms and put them in trust after she died, and so today they are mostly untouched and look just as they did in her time!)
I feel this so much! Driving around and seeing all the beautiful farms and land being developed. Mowed over and concrete slapped on top of it, which is not as beautiful or as magical as what nature provides, is just so heart breaking to me. Because sometimes what is done can not be undone and I am afraid we will really miss all the “unspoilt nature” very soon.
What a beautiful and inspiring lady❤️
But when I heard about a few books about her and her gardens I became highly intrigued. And now I want to move to Hill Top Farm ASAP!
After reading this book I’m am positive that we would have been best friends in her day (I have always felt that I was born in the wrong time). We would have shared plants and painted watercolors all around Sawrey. Oh I wish!
I took many things away from this book but the main one that I agree with her so much about is this:
“I’m sure I am doing good in trying to save anything I can of our Lake country from being vulgarized,” she said, “for as true education advances, the beauty of unspoilt nature will be appreciated, and it would be a pity if the appreciation came too late.”
(She bought up some neighboring farms and put them in trust after she died, and so today they are mostly untouched and look just as they did in her time!)
I feel this so much! Driving around and seeing all the beautiful farms and land being developed. Mowed over and concrete slapped on top of it, which is not as beautiful or as magical as what nature provides, is just so heart breaking to me. Because sometimes what is done can not be undone and I am afraid we will really miss all the “unspoilt nature” very soon.
What a beautiful and inspiring lady❤️
August 18, 2018
This is a perfect accompaniment to a longer biography such as Beatrix Potter: A Life in Nature. It's divided into three sections with the first being a brief biography of Potter's life. The middle section describes her gardens through the four seasons of the year. And the last part describes a Beatrix Potter gardening pilgrimage for those interested in visiting all of the places where she lived and/or stayed on holiday. The text is peppered with quotes from Potter's letters and garden notes and generously illustrated with photos, drawings, and paintings. Quite often a garden sketch is paired with a painting from one of Potter's children's books, showing the important role that setting played in the books. A lovely book for the gardener or Potter fan.
April 19, 2020
Great for lovers of gardens and classic children's literature
April 6, 2023
Esta biografía "botánica" de Beatrix Potter que es el acompañamiento perfecto a sus cuentos e ilustraciones.
January 27, 2023
I enjoyed listening to this book, being a gardener l love to hear about other peoples gardens. Loved Beatrix Potter and l have been to her home and garden. I have one of her book’s and l must say her drawings have influenced my garden. Interesting g to hear about her life.
August 9, 2013
Thanks to Netgalley.com and Timber Press for early access to this title.
4 1/2 stars - A simply delightful book! I thoroughly enjoyed the telling of Miss Potter's life through her interest in gardening. It was such an unusual way to show a person's life story. I liked the second section as well, which showed Beatrix's gardens through the year, highlighting the beauties of each season. The final section is a travelogue of all the gardens which played a part in Beatrix's life, from her early childhood vacations with her family to her own beloved Hill Top Farm. Of particular interest is the final tables documenting all the plants in Beatrix's gardens, and which plants are both illustrated and / or mentioned in the text of her books. The notes for further reading gives some marvelous resources for further study into Miss Potter's life and works. The book is liberally decorated with period and modern photographs as well as a large selection of Beatrix's own drawings and paintings, both from her own studies and her works. Highly Recommended to anyone who enjoys gardening and / or Beatrix Potter's works.
4 1/2 stars - A simply delightful book! I thoroughly enjoyed the telling of Miss Potter's life through her interest in gardening. It was such an unusual way to show a person's life story. I liked the second section as well, which showed Beatrix's gardens through the year, highlighting the beauties of each season. The final section is a travelogue of all the gardens which played a part in Beatrix's life, from her early childhood vacations with her family to her own beloved Hill Top Farm. Of particular interest is the final tables documenting all the plants in Beatrix's gardens, and which plants are both illustrated and / or mentioned in the text of her books. The notes for further reading gives some marvelous resources for further study into Miss Potter's life and works. The book is liberally decorated with period and modern photographs as well as a large selection of Beatrix's own drawings and paintings, both from her own studies and her works. Highly Recommended to anyone who enjoys gardening and / or Beatrix Potter's works.
September 27, 2014
This book made me so happy. The first half contained a lovely biography told through the lens of gardening, which was followed by a section on her gardens in each season and a section featuring each of the homes/properties she purchased as part of an ongoing preservation measure. While the book kept fresh memories from visiting Potter's Hill Top and Yew Tree Farm this past summer, I wish I had used it as a travel guide. The package was completed by archival photographs and illustrations of various tales of Peter Rabbit, plant life, and landscapes. Potter had a remarkable eye and a deft touch with the watercolor brush.
April 27, 2020
A delightful introduction to Potter’s gardens, replete with connections to her stories, and spiritedly written. Helpful reference tables in the back include plants in photos, letters, art, and other resources mentioned in the book, and a reference table for all the plants in Potter’s children’s books. There are fascinating asides about natural history in the UK, and the glossy images are worth the price of the book.
April 19, 2021
I don’t have words to express how much I loved this book. I have adored Beatrix Potter since I was a little girl and to read about her gardening life was a dream. I loved the numerous pictures, how the second section of the book followed the seasons, and learning more about Potter’s life. I was inspired in my gardening too. I highly recommended this one!
March 22, 2015
Beautiful photos and reproductions of Beatrix Potter's paintings and drawings. It was an inspiration for my own gardening.
October 13, 2015
This is such a wonderful book for Beatrix Potter & Gardening lovers. So charming& the photos & illustrations are beautiful. Must read
March 29, 2021
A lovely book and interesting too. Highly recommend to those who love gardens, art, England, Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit.
February 4, 2023
I asked for this book a few years ago and must have flicked through it, as it is non-fiction that is easy to do. Then I started to read it but stopped partway through. I rediscovered it a few days ago on my bookshelf with the bookmark still in where I had stopped. So I continued reading. I am fascinated by Beatrix Potter and I love gardens and gardening so it is a joy to read. I had stopped reading, not because I didn't enjoy it but because other books came along. Once I started reading I quickly became immersed in it and it has inspired me to start planning my garden planting for this year. The book follows Beatrix's life as a gardener, the seasons in her gardening life and then visits the gardens she knew. It ends with a catalogue of plants that she grew in her garden and another catalogue of plants mentioned and/or drawn in her books. The only thing I don't like about this book is the fact that is written by an American so spellings are American and some words are different. A small price to pay for a book so thoroughly researched. It is a beautiful book filled with many of Beatrix's watercolours and photographs of the places and gardens she knew. I shall definitely look at it again and again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews