Gardeners' Choice

by Evelyn Dunbar (Author And Illustrator), Charles Mahoney (Author And Illustrator)

The authors of Gardeners’ Choice had first collaborated on a mural at a school in Brockley and in 1936 were asked to write ‘a really new book’ about gardening. Cyril (always called Charles) Mahoney had taught Evelyn Dunbar at the Royal College of Art and she was asked by him to work at Brockley. When they did the book together it did not occur to either of them to sign their drawings, with the result that we have no idea apart from intuitive appraisal who drew what. In the same way we do not know if the text is Charles’s or Evelyn’s.

The writing is quite serious and is for the truly dedicated gardener – there are detailed descriptions of the plants that the two devoted gardeners would ideally choose for a garden. But the main delight of the book is the drawings – black and white illustrations that have never been reproduced since their first publication in 1937.

Genres: Gardening

256 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful.

[Nancy G · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming gardening book written in 1936 outlines the best plants for an English garden. It inspires me to think about my someday cottage. A wonderful gift from Katherine.

[Toast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a beautiful Persephone Books edition entitled Gardeners' Choice by Evelyn Dunbar and Charles Mahoney. It is a mix of illustrations and gardening advice which is just sublime. I loved it.
Toast

[Karen Mace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely little book, more for the dedicated gardener as the author goes in to detail of a number of plants they'd like to use in their gardens, alongside some beautiful illustrations to give the reader a clearer idea of how the plant looks.

I found myself jotting down a number of plants for my own garden after reading these detailed descriptions as the author made them sound like 'must haves'! It often looks at the history of the plant, alongside the good qualities each can bring to a garden and the ideal conditions to grow each plant. Will definitely be keeping this close to hand ahead of future garden centre visits!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautiful edition is published by Persephone Books bringing back to the public eye a nonfiction book about forty different plants and how to care for them.

This was a very relaxing read with detailed illustrations. I also really enjoyed the afterword as it gave great descriptions of the author's/illustrators.