The Potting Shed Papers - Charles Elliot (ISBN 978-0-7112-2009-6)

This book follows in a similar vein to October’s choice, ‘In Your Garden’ as a collection of short stories. This time the theme is the people and planting that have contributed to the rich history of gardening worldwide. The pages are filled with astonishing stories and eccentric characters, giving a colourful background to many of the plants we take for granted, sitting quietly on the garden centre shelves waiting for us to purchase them.

Charles Elliot, has an amusing and erudite style, and as an American living in the UK he has a unique position of insight. Is it going to far to compare his book to a gardening version of Bill Bryson’s ‘Notes from a Small Island’ ?, perhaps not.

We hope you enjoy this choice, happy reading!