‘A Gloucestershire Wild Garden’ by The Curator, pre ISBN, published by Elliot Stock 1903.

Written in 1903 this is more than likely the oldest book I shall review, although a publication by the famed Gertrude Jekyll is in the offing at some point, coming in at around 1920. It’s sense of antiquity is enhanced by the untrimmed page edges, black and white photographs and general musty age spotted condition of 120 years.

The enigmatic “Curator” was a Henry Cook who on returning from India created the gardens at Priors Mesne near Lydney, Forest of Dean. The style of writing is undoubtable old-fashioned, however, it felt very readable, and interesting as the garden was designed to be a ‘wild’ space guided and following in tradition of William Robinson’s inspirational books, which broke the mould for formality and order that had been the fashion, for Cook, perhaps recreating the lush vibrancy of the Indian jungle, the owner had experienced.

There is lots of sound plant knowledge, many interesting species and combinations, some names have changed, the Hostas are known as Funkias, but much is good today, for those interested in creating a ‘wild’ garden for mild climate, moisture loving plants. Bizarrely, the garden narrative is interspersed with discourses between ‘the professor’, ‘the padre’ and ‘the curator’ on psychology, neuroscience and sociology, strange really, but perhaps unsurprising that while gardening has evolved it’s nothing compared to the developments in understanding of the latter, with scientific breakthroughs.

As a footnote, the garden made an impression on Elizabeth Bond as a girl, that later in life she was inspired to write ‘The Assam Garden’. This in turn was to be made into a film, filmed at Priors Mesne starring Deborrah Kerr in 1969. The gardens are still in existence, but are now private.

Hope you have a chance to find this book at some point, happy reading……