Mrs. Whaley and Her Charleston Garden

by Emily Whaley, William Baldwin (Contributor)

A guided tour of a half-century-old walled garden in Charleston that draws five million visitors each year offers reflections and advice from the garden's vibrant and opinionated eighty-five-year-old caretaker. Reprint. 30,000 first printing.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Biography Memoir, Womens, Southern

233 pages, Paperback

First published January 3, 1997

Reviews

[Linda Hughes]

This book could have been read in a few days. I took over a month so that I could savor each chapter, page and paragraph! Emily Whaley, with her thoughts on gardening, childhood, life in and around Charleston, entertaining, and relationships ~ exudes such down to earth wisdom. In many ways she reminds me of my own mother ( minus the few swear words here and there~ my mother never used bad language). Her life was filled with adventures both earthy and classy! She and her loved ones/community enjoyed a socialite life before it was a thing! Balls, garden clubs, boarding schools, tennis, playing Bridge, starting up the Charleston Historic Preservation society ~ this was everyday life for Emily Whaley.

I feel like this is an important book for anyone who lives in SC and has a heart for the low country, such as myself. I feel richer and wiser for having read this book. I hope you will, too!

I'll see you in the garden with a slice of lemon pie!

[Rick Draughon]

A bizarre little story about an eccentric woman and her Charleston garden.

[Susan]

This little book has had multiple printings as a result of the terrific fan base Mrs. Whaley has among the tourists who flock to Charleston each spring specifically to tour gardens. I hope to count myself among them one day soon. Unfortunately, I'm not sure that Mrs. Whaley's garden will be open to the public. I've heard it's been sold. The book was written in the late 1990s when she was 85 - and very proud of being 85. I laughed out loud numerous times at her opinionated observations of wildlife, carriage drivers and local citizenry. She and her lawyer husband were very civic minded and contributed quite a bit to saving Charleston's mansions and gardens. She admits that she never cast her own vote but voted the way her husband wanted her to. That and other matters are a reminder of just how much has changed since the was born. She grew up (barefoot until 11) in Pinopolis, near Charleston and benefited of course from the hard work and savory cooking of freed enslaved persons. She touches on that very lightly, with respect and admiration for several individuals in her life. Especially Junior who worked in her gardens daily.

[Maris]

What an unexpected treat. So many nuggets of humor, wisdom, and charming little stories about old Low Country living.

[Camryn]

The most delightful memoir. I loved every part and it was an easy and charming read. Mrs. Whaley is classy and witty and tells it like it is. I’ll treasure getting to learn from her in this book that was such a small slice of her life.

[Fluffy Flowers]

I just finished reading a delightful memoir called Mrs. Whaley and Her Charleston Garden by Emily Whaley. This book was entertaining from start to finish.

It's more than just a book about a garden and a gardener in her eighties. It's a wonderful glimpse into the life of a southern woman raised in the country during the early part of the twentieth century. It's also a celebration of that life and the people around her. She gives credit to all those folks who where important in her life including her dog, Rosie.

What is really fabulous about this book is the style of writing. Its really more of a conversation than anything else. And Mrs. Whaley's voice, and her opinions, are loud and clear. This lady tells it like it is! I found myself nodding my head and chuckling more than a few times at her sage advice.

Really folks, it's an easy, short read that is thoroughly delightful.

[Jessica]

Great advice on designing your garden, gardening, and life in general from a feisty 85 year old southern lady. I laughed aloud several times. I also enjoyed the portion about her rural, yet cultured childhood in the South Carolina's Low Country. This was an absolutely delightful memoir and gardening book; "perfect in being too short".

[Jill]

I started this book on the way to Charleston. I'm actually glad I didn't finish it until after I got back home. It was neat to have seen the town and her garden and then to read Mrs. Whaley's story. It was an enjoyable read. And it made my trip richer.

[Courtney Harp]

This is a sweet, interesting little book. I enjoyed reading about Mrs. Whaley's childhood memories, Pinopolis/Charleston communities, family, garden and more. The black and white illustrations in this book are absolutely delightful! I imagine Mrs. Whaley was quite the spunky lady and definitely one I would have enjoyed getting to know. Reading this book brought back some cherished memories of visiting my grandparents' home.

I read online that Mrs. Whaley's garden was once open to the public for viewing, but it has recently been sold and the home has changed ownership. I hope to at least walk by the house and see a small glimpse of Mrs. Whaley's life and garden on my upcoming visit to Charleston.

"I made up my mind a long time ago to fill up my life with constructive things. There's a space there between your ears and if it's filled with the right ideas the destructive thoughts just can't get in. Planting to keep the weeds out. There just isn't room for both.

[Elizabeth]

A friend lent me this 1995 book by grand dame Emily Whaley (with help from a friend), 85, about her life as a privileged female growing up in South Carolina, beginning in the 1920s. It was well written and interesting. Given the racial sensitivities of our times, the fact that her privileged, well-lived, and well-intentions life was highly dependent on a black servant class was basically ignore, except for her paens to the family gardeners. The recipes were interesting, and I learned a bit about gardening. This book is the first in a series of at least three.

[Stefanni Lynch]

This is a reread for me after 20 years. I am a gardener, and I love to read about other people’s gardens. Mrs. Whaley was a real Southern character, and I smiled at her honesty and wit several times while reading. But the unspoken ideas about race and class are disturbing to me, although not surprising. So many white Southerners feel that they are kind to those of a different race or culture, while not “ walking in their shoes” at all. In spite of this, I did enjoy reading her thoughts on gardening and the pull of home throughout our lives.

[Marla]

A delightful tale with many tips. (Much better than reading about the Rwandan genocide in the Atlantic.)
A wonderful memoir; now I have to go to Charleston, and I haven't even been to Nantucket yet. This is a glimpse of another world, like my story of Mississippi would be if I'd ever write it.

[Danielle Harmon]

I read this book in preparation for our trip to Charleston, and I'm so glad I did! Between the details in this book, and their Facebook page, I can't wait to see this garden in person. I'll definitely be using this book as a guide as we wonder through all the areas of the garden. And all along the way, I'll try to imagine Mrs. Whaley's spunkiness as we explore.

[Jacqueline]

This is a delightful book, small but so nostalgic. It steps back in time with reminisces of Mrs. Whaley about her parents and growing up in South Carolina to her home on Church Street in Charleston along with her husband and children. This book is for anyone who longs to have a chat with their grandmother!

[Becky Tice]

Felt alright about this one. Was a little too rambly for my taste - very conversational. She is a fiery woman, though, so I really enjoyed her spirit. I was definitely inspired to pay more attention to my garden next summer!

[Melissa]

A lovely read with precious memories and pertinent advice on both gardening and living life to the fullest. I’m
Inspired to start a gardening notebook and get back into my own gardens. Charleston was not on my list of Destinations, but I may pencil it in after this!

[Kris]

A scattered read but I loved reading about the creation of her gardens. Certainly, the plants she calls for won’t handle the northeast cold, but I loved the design ideas. Wonder if the garden is still available to tour?

[Maxwell Walker]

Very pleasant! Interesting recollections and reflections; lost a little bit of momentum for me during the chapters devoted specifically to people in her life. I probably would have liked this better if I were an avid gardener or Charleston resident.

[Don]

Just found this hiding in a box, I read a long time ago.. Great reminisces, which I remember fondly, and it that this is how I learned to properly plant a strawberry jar.

[Gerry]

This is a delightful conversation with Emily Whaley about her gardens and her life.

[Irene Hay]

I liked it so much I bought a couple more copies for friends.

[Mary Huff]

This is one of my favorite old books that I sometimes get out and read just for the beautiful simplicity of it. It is dated, but the gardening tips are excellent and never change.

[Natalie Tallis]

Beyond charming - for gardeners and non-gardeners alike.

[amy l swann]

loved this book. entertaining and educational.

[Barbara Edwards]

Such a sweet little book. Mrs Whaley tells her life story and philosophy all within the garden of her home in Charleston SC.

[Gabi Coatsworth]

Pleasant memoir of a sensible Southern Belle and how her garden became famous. Small but well planned.

[Lanette]

This was a cute, quick read that made me want to visit Charleston.

[Darcee]

Absolutely delightful !

[Destini Petitt]

Good book. Has some good life lessons taught through the lens of gardening. Would recommend to anyone that loves Charleston SC or gardening 🙂

[Marie Zahnle]

Delightful stories of growing up in Pinopolis, SC and living Charleston SC