The book is a compilation of Vita Sackville-West's gardening articles, with commentary from Sarah Raven. While respectful of Vita's achievements, Sarah also critiques some of the changes in the garden since Vita's time, noting that many of the plants Vita favored are no longer present. The book offers a mix of historical insight and personal reflection on gardening.
This book is a co-authored work by Vita Sackville-West and Sarah Raven, focusing on the creation and evolution of the famous Sissinghurst garden. It compiles Vita's gardening articles from the Observer, spanning from 1946 to 1961, and includes Sarah's commentary and personal insights. Sarah's perspective is both respectful and critical, acknowledging Vita's visionary contributions while also pointing out areas where the garden has diverged from Vita's original design. The book highlights the differences between the two authors' personalities and gardening philosophies, with Sarah being more public and marketing-savvy, while Vita was reclusive and deeply connected to the past. The volume is well-illustrated and structured thematically, offering a blend of historical context and contemporary reflection on gardening practices. Sarah's clear-eyed confidence and detailed accounts of her own planting choices add a personal touch to the book, making it a valuable resource for garden enthusiasts and historians alike.
Quick quotes
Vita the plantswoman and garden visionary who concerns Sarah.
Her assessment of Vita’s achievement is respectful but not subservient.
Sarah is quite critical of the extent and nature of some of the changes. ‘There are strands of continuity and things that Vita would instantly recognise if she returned to walk through her garden’ but not, she thinks, enough.