Local horticulturalist, Rebecca Bevan, has written ‘The National Trust School of Gardening’ which was published earlier this week. Rebecca, who currently works for Sarah Raven in Marlborough as a horticultural researcher as well as running her own garden advice and design business, previously spent five years at the National Trust in Swindon as their garden researcher.
Described as ‘a treasure chest of gardening advice and inspiration’ the book is for gardeners of all kinds – from keen novices to experienced enthusiasts.
Rebecca told Marlborough.news, “The book has lots of expert advice from National Trust gardeners and case studies based on NT gardens such as The Courts in Wiltshire and Tintinhull in Somerset. However, I’ve tried to keep it fairly straightforward so there are tips for people who have their first garden and want to know how to get started and a simplified approach to pruning.”
Each chapter begins with a brief introduction to the history and cultural significance of British gardening traditions such as lawns and topiary. It is intended to give the reader the inspiration and confidence to make the most of their garden, while not overwhelming them with rigid rules or unnecessary technical detail.
Beginning with garden making, be that starting from scratch or simply working out which plants and materials are best in an existing one, the book then moves on to flower borders with detailed advice on how to choose and combine perennials for great effect. Roses, climbers, shrubs and trees, lawns and meadows, topiary and hedges, fruit and vegetables, cut flowers and greenhouse cultivation all have their own chapters, filled with simple, up-to-date advice on plant selection, maintenance, pruning and training.
Rebecca commented, “Fruit and veg are where my heart lies but also gardening with wildlife in mind and flower borders. There is a sustainability message all the way through the book which focuses on reducing plastics, pesticides and fertilizers in the garden and using water sparingly.
As well as being a really useful manual, the book is really beautiful. The beautiful illustrations by Madeleine Smith give the book a contemporary feel and there are masses of photos from National Trust gardens.”
Rebecca has been a Head Gardener, an RHS Horticultural Adviser, a BBC Gardeners’ World Researcher, and has written for The Garden Magazine and The Telegraph. She was also a contributor on BBC Gardeners’ World and BBC Gardeners’ Question Time. ‘The National Trust School of Gardening’ is available from bookshops or online for £20.
Rebecca can be contacted for garden advice/design and to give talks to groups here
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