Art and Craft of Gardening in West Dean

'The kitchen garden has to be one of the most perfect examples of its kind.' Noel Kingsbury, The Telegraph

'One of Britain's most exemplary centres of practical horticulture.' Robin Lane-Fox, Financial Times

This is the story of how Sarah Wain and Jim Buckland wrestled back to life the neglected garden at West Dean, and a celebration of the gardening excellence they have established and passed on. West Dean gardens is part of the Edward James Foundation, and West Dean College is widely respected for Arts and Crafts education. A passionate early supporter of surrealism, Edward James features in two paintings by Magritte and was the original recipient of Salvador Dali's famous lobster telephone. The gardens at West Dean are defined by horticultural rigour and contemporary efficiencies against a Victorian backdrop. Super-tidy sheds, meticulously cared-for glasshouses and immaculately pruned fruit trees are enhanced by occasional surrealistic flourishes. Much of the garden's success is down to hard work and practical skills but this would be nothing without the artistic vision and thoughtful philosophy that Sarah Wain and Jim Buckland bring to support it.

The book is richly illustrated with specially commissioned photographs by award-winning garden photographer Andrea Jones. As well as glorious images of all aspects of the garden at its height through the seasons, there are shots of gardeners at work - pruning and tying in a climber, mowing, raking, labelling, washing things, stacking things. Finished jobs enhance the book - beautifully pruned trees, mown grass, wildflower grass, a pond in peak form, compost heaps, newly made walls, harvested produce and freshly topiarized shrubs. While West Dean is the starting point, The Art and Craft of Gardening at West Dean highlights the underlying principles that make for a successful garden in any set of circumstances, and will particularly interest gardeners who are planning renovation projects.