This book has a week-by-week approach, detailing species and varieties of plants when they are at their best throughout the year. John Cushnie loves the cones on the Korean Fir in January, Bunny Guinness admires the Lenten Rose in March, Matthew Biggs is beguiled by the 'sleek willowy elegance' of the Corn Cockle in May, Bob Flowerdew celebrates the Victoria Plum at the beginning of September - the voices of the authors are clearly heard, making this not only a valuable reference, but a personal, opinionated conversation with some of Britain's favourite gardeners. Each comprehensive entry gives the plant's preferred soil and situation, its hardiness, eventual height and spread, flowering season and special features and, most importantly, the reason the author believes this to be a fantastic addition to the garden.
Matthew Biggs trained at The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, has presented numerous television programmes, notably Channel 4's Garden Club, and is a regular panellist on BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time. He has written several books, including the recently revised Complete Book of Vegetables and the Eden Project's Gardening at Eden and how to do it at home.
Matthew contributes to several magazines, including the RHS's The Garden, BBC Gardeners' World, and Gardens Illustrated. He lectures at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Oxford University Botanic Gardens, and the Cookery School of Michelin-starred chief Jean-Christophe Novelli, and is course Director of the Plants and Plantsmanship course at the English Gardening School.
Bob Flowerdew is a regular on BBC's 'Gardeners Question Time' and writes for 'Amateur Gardening' and 'Gardeners World' magazines. His garden has featured on many television programmes and in several leading publications.