Bold Plants

Noel Kingsbury, photography by Andrea Jones

Editions

Review

Some years ago I was struck by an article published in 'Country Life', entitled 'Bold Plants For Brave Gardeners', and I rather suspect that Noel Kingsbury, as a sometime contributor, has been doing some browsing through back numbers in preparation for this book.  He defines as 'bold' those plants which "strike out, leap forward, take risks and engage in struggles that others do not".

Traditionally, gardening has been about flowers, more lately about foliage, and now the author urges us to consider the plant as a whole.  In this stunningly photographed volume, he draws our attention to those plants whose form ensures that they have a dramatic presence in any planting scheme in areas large or small, shaded or sunny, wet or dry, in winter as well as summer.

It will come as no surprise to those who know Mr Kingsbury's other works, such as Designing With Plants , and of his experience in a nursery specialising in conservatory plants, that he provides much practical advice on how to maximise the effect of his horticultural preferences.  An important part of the text is a Directory of those plants appropriate to our cool temperate regions and he has included a very useful list of suppliers up and down the country, as well as a few in Northern Europe.

Kingsbury's contagious enthusiasm should result in some spectacular changes in gardens great and small.  Be brave! - review by Stewart Grimshaw