Gardening with

Antique Plants

by David Stuart

Antique plants have a character and beauty that modern hybrids seldom equal. The exquisite streaked and flamed tulips of the seventeenth century bring a charm to the cottage garden that is not found in their modern equivalents, and a midieval apple such as Court Plat Pendu has far more resonance in the kitchen garden, and on the table, than the bland fruits of today. In this sumptuous book, antique plant expert David Stuart selects the very best varieties for the contemporary garden, including only species introduced from the wild or varieties that were bred over a hundred years ago. He suggests annuals and perennials for the cottage garden; woodland bulbs and wild flowers for the meadow; climbers and shrub roses for the rose garden and plants that can be clipped or trained into topiaries, knots and parterres. Each chapter is a stunning visual catalogue of antique varieties, accompanied by the fascinating history behind them. Along side the great midieval plantsmen and Victorian explorers and collectors can be found the endearing stories of the enthusiasts of the Wakefield Tulip Society and the otherwise forgotten "Mistress Tuggy", a seventeenth-century auricula breeder. There are imaginative ideas for combining the plants with other antique varieties and special case studies illustrate how they can be used in today's gardens. Practical help is given in the form of cultivation notes and a list of specialist suppliers. Sumptuously illustrated and engagingly written, this book captures the unique appeal of antique plants and provides all the ideas and expertise you will need to grow them in your garden. 236 Colour photographs