Book review: A New Cottage Garden by Mark Bolton, book of the week

A practical guide to creating a picture-perfect garden is published by Pimpernel Press.

The new book guides you through how to create a modern cottage garden.

Photographer Mark Bolton embarks on making his own garden, with predictably photogenic results.

Starting the Devon garden from scratch, the gardener can "play with careless care" as Gravetye's Tom Coward writes in the foreword.

There's a bit of history (hence Coward's involvement and references to Margery Fish) then design, build and planting.

Spring at Bowhay House means tulips and calendulas, as Bolton hits the ground running. There's shrubs and trees for structure and tips on what to do at each time of year, including what to photograph, as the seasonal guide takes shape. Picturing emerging flowers at dawn is his top tip.

David Austin Roses, Bloms Bulbs, Cambo Gardens and Old Court Nurseries are cited as key plant suppliers. Haws, Niwaki and Agriframes are thanked for equipment.

From foxgloves and dianthus in early summer, to blowsy hollyhocks in late summer, dahlias in autumn and snowdrops in winter, Bolton's take on writing about creating  garden is as fresh as his creation looks.


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