Hortobiography

by Carol Klein

Carol Klein is one of Britain's best loved horticulturists, and for decades gardening has been at the heart of her extraordinary life. From her childhood adventures in Manchester to her first experiments in plantswomanship at Glebe Cottage, and from training as an artist and a teacher, and then finding an entirely unexpected career as one of Britain’s most beloved television presenters, in this long-awaited memoir Carol tells the story of the people, places and plants that have shaped her life.


Exploring why our relationship with the natural world is so important, and how it brings joy, creativity and good health to our lives, Carol also offers irresistible insights on her favourite flowers and plants, and how to help them flourish. A story of a life lived happily amongst the greenery, this book is the perfect companion for anyone who has sought solace in the natural world.

Genres: Biography, Horticulture, Gardening, Nonfiction

336 pages, Hardcover

Published May 23, 2024

Reviews

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read as she run her own nursery for many years and exhibited at Chelsea and Hampton Court before broadcasting.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carol has had an amazing life, full of ups and downs. The pages are bursting with positivity and enthusiasm. I particularly enjoyed making notes from the wealth of information about various plants interspersed between the chapters about her life. A truly inspiring read.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow

[Karen Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a brilliant read! I love watching Carol on the many gardening shows she presents on TV so to learn more about her as a person combined with some really good gardening advice along the way was a perfect combination!

She shares her life story, the people and places important to her alongside how her love for gardening grew and has stayed with her all these years. What I also liked was the way she mixed in the personal stories, with chapters devoted to different plants and the hints and tips she's learnt about them over her career. It was also good hearing her thoughts on TV gardening and I admire too her positive outlook on life when challenges were thrown her way.

[Richard Pike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have loved Carol Klein on TV for many years her enthusiasm for gardening and plants is infectious. An enjoyable book- she has led a very interesting life - but not until half way through the book does the gardening start. For me too many chapters were spent on her years as a child but when she leaves school the book, for me begins.

The editing is a little odd. Three times in one chapter we are told that she has written for Garden News for over 25 years - twice on the same page.

[Tegan McKernon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carol’s “wonderful” spirit is carried through this book. Her life has been full of twists and turns and hopefully plenty more to come. Interspersed with bits of plant knowledge and tips, this is a really heart warming read.

[Ruth Brumby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the way that essays about plants were interleaved with the sections about her life. Was slightly unsure about her comments on other people, sometimes with adverse criticism. Mostly very interesting and enjoyable. She always seems so upbeat but the early part of her life was not so jolly.

[Michael Maley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this a difficult read, not enough snippets of gardening info to be a gardening book, too many to be a detailed autobiography. I plodded through but cant say I enjoyed much. Such a shame as I love Carol on her many TV shows.

[Lynn Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous book, I loved every minute of reading it. She writes as she talks and having met her several times at shows, she’s never any different. I enjoyed the personal chapters interspersed with plant information.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm loving this book! An autobiography, interspersed with relevant plant commentary. By turns, wise, sad, enthusiastic but overall oozes her positivity. A delight!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I truly respect Carol. However, I was driven crazy because there was no real editing. The best chapter was the last: Epilogue: A Final Reflection.

[Vanessa . · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing life she leads full of adventure. Took me so long to read it as I was busy scribbling notes of plants I want to introduce to my garden.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable book, a fabulous mixture of Carols life and plants!
Would recommend for anyone that loves Carol and gardening, she is such an inspiration!