Book review

Beth Chatto’s Shady Places (£30 Pimpernel Press)

SHADY PLACES can provide some of the most exciting planting opportunities in a garden. This book, written by the doyenne of dry gardening Beth Chatto, provides a useful descriptive insight into those plants that can help transform a challenging site into a leafy oasis. The book is divided into chapters that follow the seasons, starting with the trees and shrubs in Chatto’s woodland garden and following on into the tapestry of spring flowers, useful groundcover plants, delicate summer shade lovers and autumn and winter plants for attractive foliage, berries and bark. Each plant is covered in intimate detail in an informed and readable narrative style. It’s not a book to dip into for instant answers, but a gentle read if you’re looking for general inspiration and lovely photos. ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿