[.ca] Creating a Cottage Garden (ISBN 1555914411)

Anyone can make a Cottage Garden:
Stephen Westcott-Gratton has written a 'hit the nail on the head' how to book on putting in a Cottage Garden. It is obvious he is both gardener and writer because his advice is methodical and his suggestions very workable. He dispels the myth that English Cottage Gardens need to be contrived, reinforces the necessity for tight plantings and encourages the experimentation of different plants which provide the fun and color for this kind of garden. This book covers the history of the Cottage Garden and some of the plants traditionally used. It is both an enjoyable read and an informative tome for taking your small spot and turning it into a riot of color and a haven for life of all kinds. The plant selections are typical of someone who gardens in Canada, but that does not diminish the how to information the book provides. Plus, Mr. Westcott-Gratton definitely leans to the organic and that is dear to our hearts.

Who knew gardening could be so fun?:
For gardeners who love the riot of shapes, colors and textures to be found in the cottage garden, this guide offers a rich mix of history, practical advice, design tips, and plant profiles -- especially of those native to our continent.

Nice book:
I do like this book and I'll probably refer to it often but I'm not quite as enthusiastic about it as the other reviewers. The history was very interesting but because there was so much of it, there wasn't as much coverage of suitable plants as other books. On the plus side of that, the author also didn't go into "information overload" and provide umteen-zillion varieties of every possible rose that could be planted. He did discuss some rarely used plants that I definitely want in my garden and he knows how to grow them, too, which is a plus. He also included some recipes for some of the unusual vegetables. And the pictures are wonderful.

A book which provided both validation & inspiration for me:
For those of us who like the cottage garden look and live in North America, this is a valuable book. Written in a style laced with humor, it debunks myths and inspires an adventurous approach. It is full of detailed information about how to create the cottage garden look and includes a well organized glossary of specific plants which lend themselves to an easy approach to this style. It also includes a palatable dollop of horticultural history, well written and not overwhelming for those more interested in today! Good enough that I decided I must own it!